Alexander Isak had not yet played for Liverpool after the record transfer from Newcastle for 1.66 billion kronor. In Liverpool's 1–0 win over Burnley in the Premier League at the weekend, Isak was left out of the squad, for example.
But in the Champions League against Spanish Atlético Madrid, at home at Anfield, it was finally time for the debut.
"It was the plan"
Isak took his place as the spearhead in Liverpool's attack, flanked by superstar Mohamed Salah and another new acquisition, German Florian Wirtz. Something that Liverpool coach Arne Slot pointed out before the match was planned for a long time.
It was the plan all the time, said Slot to TNT Sports and continued:
In the end of a proper training week, you can have 45-60 minutes and that's what we're going to see today.
Slot has been clear that the match form is not quite there yet and that Isak should be played into the team with caution since he missed the entire preseason.
Dramatic end
About 60 minutes on the pitch was also what the national team striker got and he got to experience a real dream start. After just six minutes, Liverpool had struck twice, although Isak was not involved. Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah became the goalscorers.
Atlético Madrid then reduced the score just before the break and after Isak had left the pitch, substituted for Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool conceded 2–2, which for a long time looked like it would be the final result.
In stoppage time, however, the team captain and central defensive general Virgil van Dijk stepped forward and scored a corner, making it 3–2.
On Saturday, a hot derby awaits, against city rivals Everton, in what looks set to be Alexander Isak's Liverpool debut in the Premier League.
