If Isak has picked up a serious lower-leg injury and it’s going to keep him out for a long spell, then the uncomfortable bit is how quickly the forward depth starts to look like a talking point rather than a strength.
Because once you strip it back, you’re asking Liverpool to get through the second half of the season with Ekitike as the only recognised striker, while also juggling limited options out wide. That’s not alarmist. That’s just what the squad map looks like when one key body drops out.
January isn’t about luxury, it’s about coverage
The Semenyo shout makes sense in that context. Not because he’s some perfect, old-school number nine, but because he gives you flexibility and he gives you pace. And pace matters in the Premier League, especially when games get stretched, the press becomes a bit ragged, and you need someone who can carry the ball into space rather than always needing it on a plate.
He’s not a natural striker, no, but the point isn’t to find a carbon copy of Isak. It’s to avoid being one injury away from having to twist the whole attack into a shape it doesn’t really want to be.
The Chiesa situation is hard to square
Where the frustration really kicks in is the Chiesa bit. Fans can accept a player not fitting the manager’s plan, but it’s the lack of even a proper look that feels odd. When Isak went off, Arne Slot’s first move was to put Frimpong on. That’s a decision in itself. But it lands differently when the alternative is a fully fit Chiesa and he still doesn’t get the nod.
To be fair, you can hold two thoughts at once: Frimpong can come on and do well, and it can still feel baffling that Chiesa remains on the outside looking in. If you’re trying to manage minutes and keep options fresh, that’s usually the moment you lean on the full bench, not a select few.
Little moments tell you who someone is
The bit that sticks, though, is the human side. Seeing Chiesa sprint over from the touchline to check on an injured team-mate tells you plenty about his attitude. Whatever the pecking order is, he looks like a pro. He looks like someone who’s still invested, even when it’s not going his way.
And that’s why it’s hard not to feel a bit deflated about it all. Not just because Liverpool might need bodies in January, but because it’s never great watching a player’s momentum stall when they seem willing to graft for it.
Related Articles
About Liverpool News Views
Liverpool News Views offers daily Liverpool coverage including match reaction, transfer analysis, EFL context, tactical breakdowns and opinion-led articles written by supporters for supporters.
