Liverpool are continuing to make changes behind the scenes with Arne Slot keen to add two new coaches, while Alexander Isak has spoken out on his agreement with the Reds
For the first time in months, Liverpool have a moment to breathe.
Following a frantic and record-breaking transfer window that concluded last week, Arne Slot has had the opportunity to reflect while many of his players are away on international duty.
Alexander Isak was the final, and most costly, addition of the summer, with all eyes now on his debut for the Reds following his £125million move. However, there are doubts about the immediate impact he will make, given that he spent weeks on strike to secure his departure from Newcastle.
Slot will be hoping that all his stars return to Merseyside in top shape as they aim to secure their fourth consecutive win when they face Burnley on Sunday. Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at the latest Liverpool news.
Isak’s forgettable break
Liverpool’s new record signing dismissed suggestions that Liverpool had requested Sweden to limit his playing time in the recent World Cup qualifiers. Isak spent the summer training separately from his Newcastle teammates and sitting out matches to facilitate his dream move to Anfield.
While this strategy paid off on deadline day, it means he is lacking match fitness for both his new club and country. Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson left him out of their first match against Slovenia and only gave him 18 minutes in their disappointing defeat to Kosovo.
It was later suggested that an agreement between Liverpool and Sweden meant he could only play less than 20 minutes – a claim Isak denied, the striker said: “Not that I know of. I’m with the national team now. Clubs and national teams have contact but it’s between them in such cases.” Adding: “It’s hard to know exactly how many minutes are right.”
However, Tomasson dropped a hint about his constraints with Isak, revealing to Viaplay: “That was the maximum number of minutes I could give him.”
New coaching staff sought
Despite their flawless beginning to the campaign, Slot is still making alterations behind the scenes and is keen to bring in two additional coaches. The ECHO reports that both a physical performance analyst and first-team physical performance coach are currently being sought.
Slot’s backroom team has already undergone several transformations following Jonny Heitinga’s departure from Anfield to take charge at Ajax. Giovanni van Bronckhorst stepped in as his successor, whilst Aaron Briggs was appointed as the club’s official set-piece specialist.
Elliott bid disclosed
Harvey Elliott was among the players who departed Liverpool on transfer deadline day, joining Aston Villa on a loan arrangement that will become a permanent £35m switch.
Nevertheless, that move only came to fruition following months of conjecture surrounding RB Leipzig. It was expected that the German outfit would table a substantial bid in the window’s closing stages, but The Athletic report they declined to exceed £17m.
A switch to the West Midlands was subsequently finalised, though Liverpool included a buy-back provision that could potentially see him return to Anfield.
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