Alexander Isak will be having David Moyes nightmares ahead of Liverpool vs Everton
Alexander Isak is expected to make his Premier League debut for Liverpool against Everton on Saturday.
Jarrad Branthwaite is in line to return against Liverpool, with David Moyes facing a key decision in his back-line given the form of Michael Keane.
Arne Slot confirmed Isak would not be rushed into the Everton game, but the striker is expected to start after playing 58 minutes of Liverpool’s Champions League win over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Liverpool are massive favourites against Everton, but Moyes will be happy to be given the chance to cause an upset against the Premier League champions.
Moyes has never beaten Liverpool at Anfield, and will be looking to finally put an end to a hoodoo that has plagued him over the last 23 years.
David Moyes’ defence has already dominated Alexander Isak
Whilst it was ultimately a meaningless game for both sides, Everton travelled to St James’ Park on the final day of last season with the home side looking to secure Champions League football.
But the Toffees were facing somewhat of a defensive crisis, with both starting centre-backs, James Tarkowski and Branthwaite, missing through hamstring injuries.
Moyes turned to Jake O’Brien and Keane, with the soon-to-depart Ashley Young deployed at right-back and Vitalii Mykolenko at left-back.
It was a tall task for the duo, with Isak having scored 23 goals already in the Premier League in the season, including three in his last five.
But the Everton duo stood tall and with Moyes’ tactics, dominated the striker, who emerged from the game having not won a single duel or completed a single dribble.
As per Sofascore, Isak was successful with zero out of three of his attempted dribble attempts and lost possession eight times in his 90 minutes on the field.
He also won no aerial or ground duels out of an attempted seven, while also touching the ball in the opposition box three times.
It was a dominant display from the Toffees’ defence, who also walked away with the three points.
And in what was an impressive campaign for Isak, this game would have given him nightmares when looking back at it.
David Moyes can deploy similar tactics at Anfield
Isak will enjoy a superior supporting cast when he lines up for Liverpool on Saturday, but Everton know how to stifle the striker.
Endless pressure will be key to stop the forward, who can create danger if afforded even an inch of space.
The Toffees will be forced back naturally, but Moyes will want his defence to always be in a position to drop into a rigid shape on the edge of their penalty area.
| Alexander Isak | Vs Atletico Madrid |
| Minutes played | 58 |
| Accurate passes | 13 |
| Chances created | 1 |
| Shots | 2 |
| Duels won | 3 |
Isak thrives on space in behind, and the 25-year-old will constantly be looking to run off the shoulder of his defender – something Everton will be prepared for.
Everton will have other problems to worry about other than the £125million man, but shut Isak down, and Moyes will have successfully removed Liverpool’s focal point.
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