1 hour ago
4
Liverpool takes on Tottenham in the Premier League at the weekend; Thomas Frank has spoken about Alexander Isak's tough start and heaped praise on a "beast" in Arne Slot's midfield
Liverpool has not had an especially enjoyable season so far, but Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has spoken in glowing terms about the upcoming opponent, picking out a handful of players for special praise.
It has been a dose of reality for Arne Slot, who has had to deal with questions about his future just months after winning the Premier League title. One of his recurring complaints has been the way that teams have set up against Liverpool, as he has been forced to try and find solutions to long balls and deep blocks.
Another factor in the shaky start has been the level of churn in the transfer window. Alexander Isak is yet to properly click after his heavily disrupted summer, while the likes of Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez are only now beginning to get up to speed.
READ MORE: FSG set for $1.7 billion boost as Liverpool owner 'agrees' major dealREAD MORE: Mohamed Salah was left in tears as Liverpool teammate inflicted AFCON agonyHowever, Frank is expecting a tough test against Liverpool. No doubt that's partly because Spurs are enduring even bigger issues of their own, but the Danish coach also has huge respect for his upcoming opponent.
"I think Liverpool is an excellent team," Frank told a press conference. "They are the champions, the well-deserved champions last year.
"I think they've got fantastic players: Hugo Ekitike, what a season he's having. [Alexander] Isak, we know, is a top striker as well. He will come [good]."
Liverpool can only hope that Frank is right when it comes to his Isak prediction.
There's no particular reason to think differently, given what the Swede delivered in the Premier League last season, but the price tag has applied immense pressure for him to deliver a return on investment sooner rather than later.
Against Spurs, however, it is Ekitike whose inclusion from the start is more guaranteed. The pair may well play together, especially with Mohamed Salah away, but the pecking order at the moment is hard to dispute.
As Frank said, it has been an excellent debut season for the Frenchman. Unfazed by the competition from Isak, he has forced his way into the number nine berth with his clinical finishing and excellent work rate.
You could certainly make the case that Ekitike has been Liverpool's standout performer this season. But if anyone beats him to that accolade, it is Dominik Szoboszlai, whom Frank has called a "beast."
"I think last year they had one of the best midfields in the league, maybe the most complete," Frank assessed. "[Ryan] Gravenberch, [Alexis] Mac Allister — and [Dominik] Szoboszlai is a beast, so he will play tomorrow, of course."
Szoboszlai's involvement had actually been in doubt after he picked up an injury against Brighton. But sure enough, he appears to have made a speedy recovery, and that's a huge boost for Liverpool.
Because the midfield, such an asset last season, has grown increasingly reliant on Szoboszlai to function. All too often, it has looked wide open on the counter-attack, and the 25-year-old's superhuman work rate sometimes feels like it is the only thing holding it all together.
In fairness, things have looked collectively better over the past few weeks, with Liverpool no longer looking quite so exposed. But there's little doubt that Szoboszlai remains a critical part of any success that Slot may be hoping to enjoy over the next few months.
Frank also singled out Wirtz for a vote of confidence, noting how the German has begun to adapt to the Premier League. But of course, he also backed his own side to compete for the win.
It's certainly a result that both managers could do with, even if neither is under immediate threat. But for one team, there's a chance to make this game a really positive turning point in the season — if the likes of Isak, Wirtz, and Szoboszlai can live up to Frank's words, then Liverpool will have a very good chance.
English (US) ·