Is Isak the problem?
I thought it was just a pre-season friendly to make some money when I heard Jürgen Klopp say before the match, “You may not know, but Isak can’t play more than 45 minutes — with the possibility of extra time, it makes sense to start him.”
But this was the Champions League quarter-final, with Liverpool trailing by two goals in an intense game where they had to give their all to turn things around.
I wonder if the owners, FSG, and those involved in decision-making felt anything about the Dutch head coach’s recent message, especially since he still has a contract until the end of next season (it seems Klopp will continue coaching).
There was already unease about his excessive praise of the opponents, the defensive setup with five defenders unfamiliar to the team, and benching Mo Salah entirely while using five substitutes in the first leg loss at Paris’s Parc des Princes.
I was shocked to see the coach, with the team already behind and hoping for a miracle, reveal the tactic of starting Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak together for only the third time — disclosing that the Swedish striker could only play 45 minutes!
Hmm, this wasn’t leaked news from Paris; Klopp openly announced it for the whole world to know.
And sure enough, he kept his word.
Isak really played only half the match, touching the ball six times and passing three times — 45 minutes seemed generous; maybe ten to fifteen minutes would have sufficed.
I’m not among those shouting daily “Klopp out, Klopp must go,” nor do I think the reason he hasn’t been dismissed is that the owners don’t want to pay the roughly £10 million compensation — a small amount considering the transfer fees spent on stars last summer.
But I do question the work of the person who football fans here jokingly call “Ha Nong” — regarding his speech, tactics, and substitutions.
After coming on late in the Paris game and then appearing as a substitute against Fulham, Isak didn’t show form that would justify risking him as a starter in a decisive match for this season’s last trophy hope.
Meanwhile, club legend Mo Salah was benched in both Paris matches, especially at Anfield in the rematch, where he should have started after recently regaining form by scoring in typical Mo Salah style against Fulham.
The 0-2 loss to PSG at Anfield mirrored the first leg defeat, even though Luis Enrique’s team played more controlled football rather than pushing the pace.
King Mo got into the game earlier than expected, within the first 30 minutes, especially after Ekitike unfortunately got injured — now not only Liverpool but also the French national team anxiously awaits his recovery, wondering if it will affect the World Cup. Mo immediately energized the attack, delivering some beautiful passes in the penalty area that should have led to more chances.
From the Dutch head coach’s defensive perspective, this was only the second game with the summer signing big names Isak (making his first start since December), Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz starting together. By halftime, only Wirtz remained on the pitch.
I was puzzled when the team was building momentum on the attack, Klopp took off right-back Joe Gomez, who had come on in the second half, forcing Dominic Szoboszlai to drop back into defense again, leading to two goals conceded down that flank. I don’t blame the players, who likely wanted to keep pushing forward.
No matter how much credit PSG deserves, it reflects Klopp’s frequent tactical and substitution errors, prompting criticism from former players and fans.
There’s no proof that doing it differently would have been better.
But whether it’s a cautious tactic in Paris or risking a striker who isn’t match-fit, neither approach worked. This makes me wonder, “Could Liverpool’s biggest problem this season actually be Alexander Isak?”
If last summer, after chasing Isak and Newcastle not selling, Liverpool had secured striker Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, they could have solved their attacking options and focused on other needs, like signing center-back Marc Guéhi early, rather than scrambling for a replacement at the last minute from Crystal Palace.
Have you seen Guéhi’s form at Manchester City? Just a few months there and he’s been crucial in boosting City’s Premier League title challenge.
When they finally signed Isak, at first, we could accept the reason that his fitness wasn’t ready yet. But as time passes, Liverpool fans have to ask, “When will he finally be fully fit?”
He was unlucky to get injured after scoring against Tottenham when Mick van den Ende collided with him, resulting in a long injury layoff. But when he returned, the same question remains: “When will we see a fully fit Isak again?”
This was Liverpool’s 17th loss of the season.
The good news is they won’t have to be taught a lesson by Paris Saint-Germain again (the second leg was basically a token away game, don’t be misled by Klopp’s interview).
The bad news is whether they visit Everton, host Crystal Palace this month, or face Manchester United (away), Chelsea (home), Aston Villa (away), and Brentford (home) next month, the Reds could add to their poor record regardless of the opponent.
If given a choice, fans would want to see Mo Salah start every remaining match; the legend is nearing departure.
Meanwhile, for Isak to start, he must be genuinely fit and ready to battle opposing center-backs, not just in the lineup because he cost £125 million.
He has played a lot of football but isn’t fit enough for a full game; he should remain a substitute to bring fresh energy late in matches.
Only “Ha Nong” thinks differently and dares to open up tactics, letting top opponents dictate play.
Little Joe.