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Arne Slot has cautioned that Alexander Isak is not yet fit enough to play a full 90 minutes as he considers his alternatives to cover for the injured striker Hugo Ekitiké.
Ekitiké suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during Liverpool's Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain and is set to undergo surgery that will begin a recovery process lasting at least nine months.
On the surface, Liverpool's task of covering for Ekitiké over the coming six weeks appears straightforward, with British-record signing Isak having returned from his own extended injury absence. However, the reality is considerably more complicated.
"Alex isn't ready for 90 [minutes] yet—it depends on the intensity of the match because you can never predict how a game will unfold," Slot told reporters on Friday.
"He is getting closer and closer. Now, we need him, but there are different options to play as a No. 9, as well. Federico Chiesa is one of them. There are different options but it is definitely good to have Alex back now that Hugo is injured."
He added: "Cody [Gakpo] did really well when he came in in the second half [against PSG]."
Slot: This Is Why Liverpool Signed Two Strikers
Liverpool have faced considerable backlash over the impact of last summer's new arrivals. Even before supporters had seen the new signings in action, there were serious doubts surrounding the club's transfer activity.
Signing a new striker was a top priority and Liverpool's pursuit of Isak was widely known. With Newcastle United driving a hard bargain over the Swedish forward, Liverpool secured a deal for Ekitiké—who was also a target for the Magpies. Just weeks later, Isak became available and Liverpool made him the most expensive signing in Premier League history at $170 million (£125 million).
Many questioned whether Ekitiké's future at the club had been undermined by Isak's arrival, with Liverpool's decision to spend $106 million (£79 million) on what appeared to be a backup striker drawing intense scrutiny.
Now, having witnessed both players suffer serious injuries at separate points in the season, Slot was ready to respond to the critics.
"First of all, it is a good thing we have signed two No. 9s because there were a lot of people who were debating why we signed two No. 9s," Slot laughed.
"We thought maybe it's a smart idea not to be the only club in the world that has only one No. 9 and that's why we signed two and now all of a sudden that looks good and now people are maybe questioning if we should sign another No. 9.
"Someone said to me the day after [PSG] you cannot write the script that on the day Alex is back after four months the other one leaves the pitch with a long term injury but it is a good thing Alex is back now even more, although it wouldn't be the first game I have to play without a particular type in a particular position. I have had many games this season where I didn't have a right full back available, for example.
"It is nice to have Alex back but we also know he is not ready to play 90 yet."
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Tom Gott is an associate editor for SI FC, having entered the world of soccer media in early 2018 following his graduation from Newcastle University. He specialises in all things Premier League, with a particular passion for academy soccer, and can usually be found rebuilding your favorite team on Football Manager.