ITV Pundits Baffled by Alexander Isak’s Half-Time Sprint at Anfield
There was no shortage of drama in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup clash with Southampton, but one of the most talked-about moments came not during play, but during the half-time break—and it involved debutant Alexander Isak.
A First Liverpool Goal
Isak, handed a start in Arne Slot’s heavily rotated side, marked the occasion in style. Just before the interval, Federico Chiesa pounced on a misplaced pass from Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and slipped the ball to Isak, who calmly struck first-time into the near corner to claim his first goal in a Liverpool shirt.
The Half-Time Mystery
But minutes later, the broadcast cameras caught something unusual: while the rest of Liverpool’s players had already disappeared down the tunnel, Isak was seen sprinting across the Anfield pitch, warming up at full speed.
The sight left ITV Sport’s commentary team stunned.
- Glen Johnson admitted: “I don’t think I can explain it! Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
- Francis Benali added: “It struck me as really odd. Maybe the physio told him to do it, but if he was about to be substituted, surely the manager should have said so. I’ve never seen a player run drills like that during half-time—it was very strange.”
Explained Away
Isak was indeed substituted early in the second half, with Hugo Ekitike coming on in his place. The ITV team later suggested that the sprint had been a “warm-down” exercise rather than a tactical demand.
Johnson reflected: “Liverpool are meticulous with their data. The plan was probably always for him to play only 45 minutes. It’s about managing his workload, making sure he stays fit for the season.”
The Bigger Picture
While fans were bemused by the bizarre half-time scene, the explanation aligns with Liverpool’s careful approach to player conditioning. For Isak, the evening still ended on a positive note—his first goal for the club, and proof of why he was brought in to strengthen the attack
