Arne Slot has urged patience with Alexander Isak after leaving the striker out of Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Burnley. The Newcastle summer signing is still building up his fitness after missing pre-season, and Slot is taking a cautious approach to his integration.
Mohamed Salah scored a 95th-minute penalty to settle the match after Hannibal Mejbri handled in the box, rescuing a win for Liverpool on a day when the forward had otherwise misfired. Slot admitted Isak is not yet ready for the demands of regular football, saying: 'We got him from Newcastle in a state where you could say his pre-season is going to start now.'
The Liverpool manager also revealed he substituted Milos Kerkez before half-time after the defender was booked for diving, opting to avoid the risk of a red card. 'The only way we could lose this game is if we go down to 10,' Slot explained. Burnley manager Scott Parker expressed heartbreak at another late defeat, with a penalty costing his side for the second consecutive match.
