Liverpool manager stresses that fitness is the striker’s immediate priority
Alexander Isak could make his first appearance for Liverpool on Wednesday night, after Arne Slot confirmed the striker will be part of the squad to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
However, Slot warned that any appearance will only be a cameo.
“It’s 100 per cent sure that he will not play 90 minutes but he is part of the squad,” said the Liverpool manager.
“It’s already a Champions League game to look forward to but if people look forward to his playing time that could mean that could happen tomorrow as well. The only thing that is sure is he will not play 90. All the rest we will see.”
Isak joined the Premier League champions from Newcastle on deadline day for a British-record £125m fee. But he did not feature in Sunday’s win over Burnley, after Slot said he had had too little time in training.
The Sweden international missed pre-season and the first four matches of the new season as he downed tools to force his way out of Newcastle United. His only game time since the Premier League season ended in May was a 20-minute cameo for Sweden during the international break last week.
Slot stressed that fitness is the striker’s immediate priority as he eyes a return to regular football.
Liverpool’s manager said: “The main challenge he has is to become so fit, that he is first of all ready to do what he did last season.”
