Alexander Isak will be looking to add to his Premier League goal tally when Liverpool travel to Leeds United this weekend.
The Swede arrived at Anfield over the summer for a British transfer record fee following a long, drawn-out saga.
However, the striker has had fitness problems this season and only really became a regular starter following the November international break.
Since returning to the team, Alan Shearer has questioned Liverpool’s use of Isak, suggesting he is not getting involved in games enough.
Daniel Farke knows how dangerous Liverpool can be 🔥
Arne Slot comments on Alexander Isak’s lack of touches at Liverpool
Isak scored against West Ham United last weekend, but was largely anonymous against Sunderland on Wednesday.
Given how little service he is receiving this season, Slot has now been asked about the 26-year-old’s lack of touches.
At the pre-Leeds press conference on Friday, a reporter said Isak has had 14 in his last three starts, and asked Slot ‘is that ideal for you?’
The Liverpool boss responded by quizzing the reporter on how many touches he was having while at Newcastle.
He said: “No, it’s not ideal for me, no. But do you know how much he had at Newcastle on average?”
The journalist in question did not know, with Slot continuing with a smile on his face: “No? 22. So, in this league, strikers don’t touch the ball that much, but the few times they do touch it, it’s quite nice if they finish it off.”
Who is this former Liverpool and Leeds United player? 🤔
Still stuck? I ended my career in 2018
Impending Liverpool return before Leeds will help Alexander Isak
As Slot pointed out, players like Isak do not get a lot of service in the Premier League.
He’s still averaging slightly less than when he was at Newcastle, but that should change very soon.
In recent weeks, Liverpool have been forced to use Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back.
None are natural in that role, and Gomez especially lacks any real attacking threat.
However, Slot has now confirmed in his presser that Conor Bradley is back in training and could be involved this weekend.
He said: “Joe Gomez got a knock against West Ham but was still able to start. He couldn’t make the full 90 minutes but I think he will be able to train again today.
“Conor Bradley has trained this week so I expect him to train today and then he is available to be in the squad tomorrow.”
Once Bradley is back, he should provide more service into the box for Isak than someone like Gomez, who is a natural centre-back.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
