Alexander Isak Liverpool debut plan outlined by Arne Slot

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.

Image Credits: Imago Images

Alexander Isak’s highly anticipated Liverpool debut was placed on hold during Sunday’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burnley, with manager Arne Slot confirming the British record signing remains short of match fitness following the controversial circumstances surrounding his £125 million transfer from Newcastle United.

The striker stopped training with Eddie Howe’s first team and was excluded from all competitive preparations during the summer months, missing approximately “three or four months of team sessions” according to Slot.

Even during the recent international break, Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson handled Isak with extreme care, limiting him to just 18 minutes across two World Cup qualifiers

Isak’s last competitive appearance for Newcastle came on May 25, in a 90-minute outing against Everton.

The risks of rushing players back from extended absences were illustrated by the situation involving Isak’s replacement, Yoane Wissa, who joined Newcastle on deadline day after limited game time at Brentford.

Despite playing just two matches for the Democratic Republic of Congo during the international break, Wissa has now suffered a knee injury that will keep him out for weeks.

Now the Reds boss has revealed the plan for Isak’s potential debut.

Speaking to liverpoolfc.com after the win over Burnley, Arne Slot revealed that Isak could be fit for a 45-minute cameo against either Atletico Madrid on Wednesday or Everton this coming weekend:

“Alex is far from ready for that schedule of three games in a week, 90 minutes,” the Dutchman began.

“But then we could use him today for five minutes and then Wednesday again 10, and then 15, but we don’t believe that is the way to build him up.”

“We believe it’s the way… Sweden did the right thing of giving him good sessions without playing him a lot because if you play the player you cannot give him good sessions.”

“They did the right thing [and] we did the same, so now he will be able either Wednesday or Saturday to play 45 as a minimum, and maybe a little bit more,” Slot explained.

“But if he plays 45 on Wednesday don’t expect him to play 45 or more on Saturday because his body is not prepared for that, in our opinion.”

READ MORE: Atletico Madrid could be without 5 players vs Liverpool

Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone