Liverpool manager Arne Slot has acknowledged the challenge of maintaining the fitness of their record signing, Alexander Isak, due to his limited pre-season preparation. Slot attributes recent struggles faced by the team to similar fitness issues across the squad.

The Reds are currently on a four-game losing streak in the Premier League, with injuries to key summer signings Isak, Giovanni Leoni, Jeremie Frimpong, as well as Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, and Ryan Gravenberch adding to their woes. Liverpool sits in seventh place, trailing league leaders Arsenal by seven points, with Arsenal receiving praise for their squad depth under manager Mikel Arteta.

Despite a less promising start compared to his debut season, Slot remains satisfied with the quality and depth of his squad. He acknowledges the difficulty in keeping players fit, particularly those who missed out on a full pre-season like Isak.

Isak’s situation stands out as he had taken drastic measures to secure a transfer from Newcastle, where he did not partake in first-team training due to being excluded from their pre-season tour.

Slot emphasized the necessity of managing the team amid a congested fixture schedule, with injuries impacting player availability rather than squad depth. He highlighted the need for players like Isak to feature regularly despite fitness concerns.

The manager clarified that circumstances have led to relying on players like Isak, Frimpong, and Bradley more than initially planned, emphasizing the need to adapt to the current situation.

Slot’s comments underscore the team’s effort to cope with challenges, including prioritizing match fitness for key players like Isak despite ongoing fitness issues.

In an unrelated update, Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the upcoming season, offering significant savings and an extensive selection of live matches, including an increased number of Premier League games compared to previous seasons.