Arne Slot explains decision to take off Kerkez and provides update on Isak’s fitness after win over Burnley

Arne Slot says it was too risky to leave defender Milos Kerkez on the pitch after substituting him off before half-time in Liverpool’s win over Burnley .

Kerkez was taken off in the 37th minute having picked up a yellow card, before the Reds went on to snatch a late win thanks to a Mo Salah penalty.

“It was because he got a yellow card,” Slot explained.

“I think the fans here thought a chance for them to win the game is if we ended up with a second yellow.

“With Milos I can never be 100 percent he doesn’t make the next foul, then the fans are on top of the referee.

“I thought the only way we could lose it today was if we went down to 10 men.”

Record signing Alexander Isak was not in the squad, meanwhile, having not played any club football this season.

But Slot says he will be involved soon.

“You make a choice for a good reason, for a good argument,” Slot said on the Swede’s absence.

“That choice was because he missed out for four months on team training.

“He’s in his second or third week of pre-season. We have given him a proper week and then we think maybe he will get more than 10 or 15 minutes in our Wednesday game and that’s the way to build him up.

“He needs proper playing time but also build him up so he has a good base.”

Premier League Liverpool Burnley Milos Kerkez Mo Salah Alexander Isak Injury Update