Liverpool manager Arne Slot has moved to defend his striker Alexander Isak, after the Swedish forward registered remarkably few touches in the Reds' last two Premier League outings.
Slot's Striker Defence and Haaland Comparison
Speaking to the press on Friday 5 December 2025, Slot directly addressed criticism of Isak's peripheral involvement in recent matches. The striker managed just 14 touches in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland and only 13 in the preceding game against West Ham United.
Slot, however, rebuffed this criticism by invoking the name of Manchester City's goal machine, Erling Haaland. He argued that a low touch count for a centre-forward is not inherently problematic if the player is scoring goals. "The number of touches alone doesn't define a performance," Slot implied, suggesting the ultimate metric is finding the net.
The "Big Difference" Between Isak and Haaland
Despite the comparison, the Dutch coach was quick to pinpoint a crucial distinction between the two prolific forwards. Slot noted that while both can be economical in their involvement, Haaland tends to have more touches in "moments that matter" during the flow of a game.
This subtle difference underscores Slot's acknowledgement that Liverpool must improve their service to Isak. The manager conceded his team needs to do a better job of getting Isak into more threatening situations and involving him more frequently in the final third of the pitch.
Defensive Progress Overshadows Attacking Frustration
While the focus has been on Isak's quiet displays, Slot chose to highlight a positive trend in his team's results. Liverpool have taken four points from their last two games, a return the manager views as a "step forward" in defensive stability.
This minor uptick follows a period where the team suffered consecutive defeats. The organised display in the stalemate with Sunderland, albeit frustrating, provided a platform Slot believes the team can build upon as they seek greater consistency.
The challenge now is clear for Slot and his coaching staff: marry that newfound defensive resilience with a more potent and integrated attacking performance, ensuring their star striker becomes a decisive figure in the weeks to come.
