Arne Slot teases exciting Liverpool tactic and responds to January transfer plans question

Arne Slot revealed that he plans to unleash his £200 million Liverpool strike duo more frequently.

The Reds boss partnered Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike together for just the second time since their respective summer arrivals. Isak was purchased for a British record fee of £125 million, although his lack of pre-season training at Newcastle United has impacted his fitness levels. Isak also suffered an injury that sidelined him for a month.

With Isak being managed carefully, Hugo Ekitike - bought for up to £79 million from Eintracht Frankfurt - has often led the Liverpool line on his own. The France international has scored eight goals so far, including a double in last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United.

While Isak and Ekitike did not link up too much at the San Siro, Slot believes that was a consequence of the pair scarcely playing together. And while Isak is doubtful to start against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League at Anfield on Saturday, Slot did suggest that the pair will play together more frequently. The Liverpool head coach said at his pre-match press conference: "The more they play together the more they will adapt to each other and the better they will cooperate. I saw promising things from the both of them, it's only the second time they've played together. We will see more of them playing together in the future. Alex got a knock in the first half, so let's see how he recovers from that today and if he is able to start tomorrow."

Liverpool’s options are currently thin for the Brighton clash. Cody Gakpo and Wataru Endo have been ruled out for several weeks, Jeremie Frimpong is still not back from a hamstring issue, while Conor Bradley must serve a one-match suspension for accumulating five yellow cards. Mo Salah is not confirmed to be in the squad. Salah was omitted from Liverpool’s squad against Inter after his bombshell interview in which he claimed he’d been ‘thrown under a bus’ having started three games on the bench.

In addition, centre-back Giovanni Leoni will not play again this season after rupturing his ACL, while youngsters Jayden Danns, Stefan Bajcetic (both hamstring) and Kaide Gordon (knee) are unavailable.

Slot was asked if he could use the January transfer window to boost his numbers. Liverpool were keen to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace on summer transfer deadline day before the plug was pulled on the £35 million deal at the 11th hour.

The Reds boss replied: “It's helpful in the upcoming weeks that we won't play as many games as we did until now. I wonder if there are more teams that have played three games in seven days this season. We had to do it three times already this season. I am almost happy we are out of the League Cup, because if we had to play with 13 outfield players available with any Premier League experience, and we had to go to Arsenal away on Tuesday after already so many games played, then maybe people can understand a bit better why I made that line-up against Crystal Palace.

"It wasn't good for me but I made that decision for the team. Losing a game of football is never a good idea, but sometimes players need rest as well."