Arne Slot warns Liverpool‘s Winning Run Could Take Physical Toll
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has cautioned that the team’s recent spate of late victories could lead to player fatigue if it continues throughout the season. The comments came ahead of Liverpool’s upcoming match against Everton, following Alexander Isak‘s debut and a discussion of forward options.
Slot revealed Isak “felt his body more maybe than ever before” after playing 58 minutes against Atletico Madrid, having joined Liverpool without a pre-season due to a dispute with Newcastle. This lack of preparation highlights the physical demands being placed on the squad, especially with several players contributing late winning goals.
The Liverpool boss indicated potential rotation in the forward line, with fellow new signing Hugo Ekitike a possible replacement for Isak against everton. However, Slot hasn’t ruled out playing both forwards together in the future, noting Liverpool’s typical 4-3-3 structure but also their use of two strikers in late game situations.
“It depends on how they are all doing, if both of them are in the best form of their lives you consider more playing them together,” Slot stated. He also emphasized Ekitike’s versatility,adding,”Hugo can also play from the left,different to how Rio (Ngumoha) or Cody (Gakpo) does this and that is the good thing about our squad,we have multiple options.”
Slot acknowledged the possibility of deploying a 4-4-2 formation if players become unavailable due to injury or fatigue, stating, “If some of them are not fit we may have to use them both in a 4-4-2 but it all depends on the form of them and how many players we have available.”