Alexander Isak’s introduction to Liverpool was delayed after a summer mutiny that disrupted his preseason and postponed his start. Questions over his debut persisted, intensified by the club’s cautious approach while Hugo Ekitiké enjoyed a bright opening on Merseyside. The manager hinted at minutes for Isak and then made a decisive call on his 47th birthday by naming the club’s record signing in the starting XI for Atlético Madrid’s visit.

The £130 million ($176 million) man replaced Hugo Ekitiké up top, becoming only the second Swede to represent the club after Glenn Hysén, who played between 1989 and 1992 and had cost the Reds £600,000 from Fiorentina. Isak watched the early fireworks as Mohamed Salah put the hosts 2–0 up inside six minutes, limiting the striker’s initial chances to take in his new surroundings.

Isak’s influence grew toward the end of the first half. He tended to drift to the left flank and produced his tidiest work from the half-space. His sumptuous half-turn receptions created a pair of shooting opportunities, one of which tested Jan Oblak. Those two chances lifted Isak and he followed with subtle touches that contributed to Liverpool moves. It looked as if he will enjoy operating close to Florian Wirtz, who continues to dazzle in moments but has yet to deliver a full statement 90 minutes at his new home.

Isak did not look short of match fitness and continued after the break, but Slot chose to withdraw him after 55 minutes with Liverpool 2–1 up. The match turned chaotic after his departure when Marcos Llorente haunted Liverpool again at Anfield with a brace that levelled the tie. Liverpool’s habit of late decisive actions carried over to this contest as Virgil van Dijk’s emphatic header secured victory, ensuring Isak’s era began with a win.