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Beth Lindop
LONDON — Arne Slot celebrated with Alexander Isak on the touchline as Liverpool fans erupted in song. After the Sweden international took his place on the bench, he appeared to shed a £125 million burden, if only momentarily.
Isak’s goal in the second half against West Ham United set the stage for a crucial 2-0 win that lifted the struggling Premier League champions to eighth in the standings. Though Liverpool had hoped Isak would catapult them to greater heights when he arrived from Newcastle United in a record transfer, his first league goal in a Liverpool shirt could signify a turning point in the season.
When the fixtures were released in June, few predicted the importance of a late November visit to London Stadium. Yet, following an alarming decline that saw Liverpool suffer nine losses in twelve matches, Slot’s team arrived in the capital facing a pivotal moment for their campaign and coach’s future.
Despite a disheartening 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven earlier in the week, Slot retained the support of the Anfield hierarchy, who recognized the challenges posed by a summer overhaul that involved over £450 million spent on seven new signings. Nonetheless, the Dutchman knew the pressure was mounting and another loss to West Ham could have plunged his position into uncertainty.
With that in mind, Slot made four changes to the starting eleven from Wednesday, including resting Mohamed Salah. His strategic moves paid off, as Isak and fellow new recruit Florian Wirtz ultimately came together to create the decisive moment, with Wirtz shining particularly bright during the match.
Wirtz, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £100 million in June, had struggled to find his footing in the demanding Premier League. However, against West Ham, the German international delivered an exceptional performance, including an incisive assist setting up Cody Gakpo that led to Isak’s goal.
“The team delivered an excellent performance,” Slot said in the post-match press conference. “I’ve recently been questioned about individuals after subpar performances, but I’ve consistently highlighted the team. After Florian’s impressive display, I want to reiterate that the team effort was also much better. He created extra opportunities and was pivotal in many moments with his dribbles and quick passes.”
Slot also benefitted from selecting defender Joe Gomez at right back. The England international, back in the lineup after an extended absence, assisted Gakpo for Liverpool’s second goal in stoppage time, adding much-needed solidity to a previously vulnerable defense. His fitness will be crucial for Liverpool as they aim to ensure this win is not a fleeting success for Slot’s side.
The same applies to Isak, who has faced challenges with both form and fitness since joining Liverpool after a summer of controversy in order to facilitate his move. Before this match, his only goal had come in the Carabao Cup clash against Southampton in September. While he has not yet reached his full potential, his contribution against West Ham may spark his resurgence in the league.
“It’s a bit unfair to him.” Slot commented on Isak’s long-awaited goal. “As a typical No. 9, he usually plays more minutes than I have given him due to specific circumstances. Even today, I had to substitute him after 68 minutes. While he’s participated in many games, his actual minutes have been limited.”
“For us as a team, scoring first was vital, and for him, netting just before leaving the pitch is significant. It was his third opportunity in this match, and I didn’t think he had much more than ten minutes left in him.
Slot will hope this weekend’s match has instilled a much-needed confidence boost for Isak, Wirtz, and the rest of the squad as they face challenging matches against Sunderland at Anfield and Leeds United at Elland Road this upcoming week.
Liverpool still has hurdles to overcome, but they are now just three points away from Aston Villa in fourth place. These signs of improvement provide a glimmer of hope that their season could still hold promise, even if the title remains out of reach.
After the defeat to PSV, Slot was asked about his sleep amidst the team’s struggles. “Not the best,” he admitted. It’s likely there will be many more restless nights ahead for the Liverpool manager as he works to turn the Red’s fortunes around and guide the club out of crisis. For now, however, he can afford to breathe a little easier.