LIVERPOOL, England — It took lower than a minute for Alexander Isak to make his intentions clear.
With simply seconds on the clock in Liverpool’s 2-1 Carabao Cup victory over Southampton on Tuesday, the Sweden worldwide took the ball in his stride and drilled it goalwards, solely to see his effort tipped over the bar by the stretching Alex McCarthy.
Barely 40 minutes later, although, McCarthy was selecting the ball out of his personal web as Liverpool’s latest marksman wheeled away in celebration, having notched the primary aim of what many on Merseyside hope will likely be an illustrious Anfield profession. Within the second half, Isak watched from the bench as fellow summer time signing Hugo Ekitike scored the successful aim for the hosts, reserving the membership’s place within the fourth spherical of a contest they’re bidding to win for a record-extending eleventh time.
After weeks of debate about how Slot will have the ability to hold his two big-money strikers joyful, each Isak and Ekitike delivered to make sure the Liverpool boss ended the evening with a smile on his face — even when the Dutchman was left to lament Ekitike’s “unnecessary” second-half dismissal for choosing up two yellow playing cards.
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Contemplating the likes of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz had been afforded a uncommon probability to observe the motion unfold from the consolation of their very own sofas, it’s no exaggeration to say Slot now has a humiliation of attacking riches at his disposal.
Nonetheless, the Liverpool head coach was as soon as once more made to attend to see his group clinch the victory, with Ekitike’s 86th-minute strike marking the sixth event in seven video games this season the Reds have scored a successful aim within the remaining 10 minutes of a recreation. The disjointed nature of Liverpool’s show on Tuesday evening can, partly, be attributed to the very fact Slot made 11 adjustments to the aspect that beat Everton 2-1 in final weekend’s Merseyside derby.
In addition to a begin for Isak, Slot handed debuts to goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and defender Giovanni Leoni, with the latter, particularly, impressing earlier than he was substituted with what gave the impression to be a knee harm late within the second half. However, despite the massive gulf in sources between the 2 golf equipment, Southampton carried out admirably and virtually took the lead shortly earlier than the break when Leo Scienza nodded broad after Adam Armstrong’s preliminary strike got here crashing off the publish.
Simply 39 seconds later, Will Nonetheless’s aspect discovered themselves behind, with Isak sweeping previous McCarthy after the Southampton goalkeeper’s miscued cross was picked off by the energetic Federico Chiesa. Because the Sweden striker slid throughout the Anfield turf in celebration, it appeared as if a weight had been lifted.
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‘Pointless and silly’ – Slot on Ekitike’s Carabao Cup crimson card
Arne Slot reacts to Hugo Ekitike’s crimson card after scoring Liverpool’s successful aim vs. Southampton within the Carabao Cup.
After discovering himself on the centre of the summer time’s most poisonous switch saga earlier than his acrimonious Newcastle United departure, Isak is now taking part in with a goal on his again. In fact, having joined the Premier League champions in a British report deal, there’s an expectation the ahead will ship for Liverpool on far grander levels however, in scoring towards Southampton, he has now formally introduced his Anfield arrival.
“It is good,” Slot stated of the striker’s landmark aim. “It is just six or seven days in the past he made his debut, so time goes so quick, however we received him not in the perfect circumstances by way of match health. You can not play him 90 minutes and when you solely play him 45 it’d take some time earlier than he scores his first aim.
“The perfect second we begin to see what he’s hopefully is when he comes again from the Sweden nationwide group. Then we are able to count on much more from him, however till now very joyful.”
It was Ekitike, although, who made positive of the win, tapping house from Chiesa’s lay-off after Shea Charles had restored parity for the guests within the second half. It was the Frenchman’s fifth aim in eight video games since becoming a member of the membership in a £69 million deal from Eintracht Frankfurt however, if his cool end provided additional proof of his high quality, then his impetuous resolution to take away his shirt throughout the celebrations — having already been proven a yellow card for dissent — confirmed he’s nonetheless a participant with lots to be taught.
“It was unnecessary and silly,” Slot stated. “The primary one was already unnecessary and to a sure extent silly as a result of you must management your feelings. I understand how onerous it’s when you’re a No. 9 when the defender can to a sure extent do something he likes.
“It is at all times the perfect to regulate your feelings. If you cannot, do it in a means that does not result in a yellow card.”
Ekitike’s antics imply he will likely be unable to function for Liverpool in Saturday’s Premier League conflict with Crystal Palace. However, with Isak now off the mark, it could possibly be the right alternative for the Reds’ new No. 9 to essentially make an announcement.