Topics: Alexander Isak, Liverpool, Carabao Cup, Football
Alexander Isak was told to do something he has never done before by manager Arne Slot during Liverpool's Carabao Cup third round victory over Southampton.
The Reds won 2-1 at Anfield to progress to round four, with Isak scoring his first Liverpool goal since his British transfer record £125 million move from Newcastle.
Southampton equalised through ex-Manchester City academy graduate Shea Charles, before Hugo Ekitike struck with another late winner to seal Liverpool's progression.
The Frenchman's night ended in embarrassment, however, as he was shown a second yellow card for taking his shirt off during his celebrations.
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He had earlier replaced Isak at half-time, with the Sweden international still building up his match fitness after playing no part in Newcastle's pre-season or in their opening Premier League games as he attempted to force a move away from the club.
Liverpool fans inside Anfield noticed that, during the half-time interval, Isak was doing sprints with a member of Liverpool's medical team.
Such practice is common among players who have been taken off as a warm-down procedure, but more so with unused substitutes at the end of the match.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the win, however, Isak surprisingly revealed that he had never been told to do sprints after being substituted before Tuesday night.
He explained: "Yeah, that was a new one! It was funny, it was a new experience. But I've got to get fit."
Team-mate Andy Robertson added: "He's not had much pre-season but since he's come in, he's been in fantastic shape.
"I thought he was excellent against Atletico, and I thought he was really good today.
"He looks fit to me - obviously the sports scientists maybe think a little differently! But yeah, that's what we had to do in pre-season so he's maybe just playing catch-up to us."
