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Arne Slot has suggested that Liverpool’s upcoming lineup to face Sunderland may include notable changes, after discussing the fitness and workload of Milos Kerkez and the long-awaited Premier League breakthrough of Alexander Isak.
Slot explained that Kerkez’s withdrawal late in the 2–0 win over West Ham wasn’t tactical, but rather physical fatigue. The summer signing — purchased from Bournemouth for £40 million — has been heavily used since arriving, even edging out seasoned defender Andy Robertson for the starting role. Despite being on the pitch during tough defeats to Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven, Kerkez responded with an assured defensive shift at West Ham, especially in keeping England forward Jarrod Bowen quiet.
With Liverpool set for another rapid turnaround before hosting Sunderland at Anfield, Slot acknowledged that Kerkez still isn’t accustomed to playing three matches within eight days. His cramping toward the end could indicate that Robertson will be restored to the lineup for the midweek matchup.
Slot remarked that Kerkez defended aggressively, contributed to attacking moves, and showed promise — but also highlighted that adapting to the Premier League’s relentless rhythm and fixture density is a process. The coach emphasized that Kerkez exerts maximum effort each game, which partly explains the physical strain.
On the attacking side, Liverpool celebrated a major moment as £125 million record signing Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal for the club with a confident finish. Isak’s fitness has been a persistent concern after missing much of pre-season at Newcastle, and Slot revealed that the plan had always been to remove him around the 65–minute mark — signaling that Isak may still not be fully ready for a full 90 minutes.
Overall, Liverpool’s win not only eased pressure on Slot but also revealed subtle selection clues that could shape the starting XI for the Sunderland fixture.
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