Liverpool’s difficult away form continued after a disappointing 4-2 defeat against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday night, May 16, 2026. The result marked the Reds’ ninth away loss of the season and further highlighted their struggles on the road under manager Arne Slot.
The defeat at Villa Park not only damaged Liverpool’s momentum in the race for European qualification, but also raised major questions surrounding the absence of star striker Alexander Isak, who was unexpectedly left out of the matchday squad.
Fans were surprised to see the Swedish forward unavailable after he had appeared as a substitute in Liverpool’s previous clash against Chelsea. Following the match, Arne Slot finally clarified the situation and confirmed that Isak was dealing with a minor injury issue.
Why Alexander Isak Was Left Out Against Aston Villa
Without Alexander Isak leading the attack, Liverpool relied on Cody Gakpo as the central striker, supported by Dominik Szoboszlai, Rio Ngumoha, and Curtis Jones in attacking midfield roles. However, the reshuffled frontline struggled to match Aston Villa’s intensity throughout the game.
Villa took full advantage of Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses and secured an important victory that also guaranteed their qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Speaking after the match, Arne Slot admitted that Liverpool’s medical staff decided not to take unnecessary risks with Isak’s condition.
The Dutch coach explained that the 26-year-old striker is still being carefully managed following a difficult injury-hit campaign that disrupted his rhythm and fitness.
“Isak is unavailable because of a minor injury,” Slot told Sky Sports.
“I think everyone understands the situation. When you miss pre-season and then suffer a broken leg, you need to be extremely careful when bringing a player back into full action,” he added.
Liverpool Taking Extra Precautions With Isak
Liverpool’s coaching staff reportedly believe that protecting Isak’s long-term fitness is more important than rushing him back too soon. Since returning from a serious leg injury earlier this year, the striker has struggled to regain full consistency physically.
The former Newcastle United star missed a large portion of the campaign after suffering a fractured leg, an injury that kept him sidelined for several months. Even after returning, Liverpool continued monitoring his workload closely to avoid further setbacks.
Unfortunately, Isak recently experienced another muscular issue, forcing the club to leave him out against Aston Villa as a precautionary measure.
The decision underlined Liverpool’s concerns over the striker’s recurring fitness problems, especially considering his importance to the team’s future plans.
Alexander Isak Under Pressure After Record-Breaking Transfer
Alexander Isak arrived at Liverpool carrying enormous expectations after becoming the most expensive signing in English football history. The Reds reportedly paid around £125 million to secure his services, hoping he would become the club’s long-term attacking leader.
However, injuries have severely limited his impact throughout the season.
So far, Isak has only managed 24 appearances for club and country combined during the 2025/2026 campaign. In contrast, he has missed 29 matches due to multiple physical setbacks.
His injury problems began earlier in the season with an adductor issue during October and November. After finally recovering from a broken leg at the start of the year, he suffered another muscle-related problem this month.
Missing the crucial match against Aston Villa has only intensified scrutiny around the Swedish international, especially given Liverpool’s heavy investment in him.
Liverpool Still Fighting for European Qualification
Despite the damaging defeat, Liverpool’s hopes of qualifying for European competition next season remain alive.
Arne Slot’s side currently sit four points ahead of Bournemouth, who occupy sixth place in the Premier League table. Liverpool could even secure European qualification sooner if Bournemouth fail to defeat Manchester City in their upcoming fixture next Tuesday.
Still, Liverpool’s inconsistent away form remains a major concern heading into the final stretch of the season. Defensive instability, injuries to key players, and a lack of attacking sharpness have repeatedly cost them valuable points.
For Arne Slot, improving consistency and keeping important players like Alexander Isak fit will be crucial if Liverpool want to compete for major trophies again next season.
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