A cloud of uncertainty hangs over Liverpool's attacking lineup as they prepare to face Brighton. A recent injury to Alexander Isak, sustained during the 1-0 victory over Inter Milan, has cast doubt on his availability for Saturday's Premier League clash. This situation could significantly influence manager Arne Slot's tactical plans.
Slot has been experimenting with a 4-4-2 diamond formation, pairing Isak with Hugo Ekitike, a combination seen only twice so far. The coach hinted at sticking with this setup, especially given the absence of key players like Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.
In his pre-match press conference, Slot expressed uncertainty about Isak's fitness, stating, "I think what we all saw, and which is completely normal, the more they play together and the more they will adapt to each other and the better they will cooperate." He acknowledged that Isak and Ekitike are still developing their partnership compared to the more established duo of Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez. Slot added, "I think we will see more of this in the future, of them playing together." However, the injury raises questions about whether Isak will be fit to start. Slot noted, "Alex also got a knock in the first half, so let’s see how he has recovered from that today. [We will see] if he’s able to start tomorrow and, if he is able, if I make the decision to start them again together or we do it in a different way.”
This potential absence would be particularly frustrating for Isak, who has struggled to maintain consistent starts since his £125 million summer transfer. He has only started consecutive games on three occasions, with his longest run being three games.
But here's where it gets interesting...
Fortunately for Slot, there's a silver lining: Federico Chiesa is back in training after recovering from an illness that kept him out of the Inter match. Chiesa could provide an alternative to maintain the two-striker system. He hasn't started in either the Premier League or Champions League this season, but his return offers a valuable option.
Meanwhile, Jayden Danns is nearing a return from a hamstring injury and is expected to regain fitness with the U21s.
What do you think? Will Slot stick with the 4-4-2 diamond, or will Isak's injury force a change? And how do you see Chiesa fitting into the team? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
