Arne Slot explains decision to start Alexander Isak vs. Atletico Madrid in Champions League opener
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Arne Slot has revealed why he chose to start Alexander Isak in Liverpool's clash against Atletico Madrid, just three days after he was deemed not fit enough to feature in the squad against Burnley.
Isak was omitted at Turf Moor following a disrupted summer in which he trained away from his then Newcastle United team-mates.
Isak was deemed only ready to play 18 minutes for Sweden across two games in the recent international break, and began training with Liverpool for the first time last Wednesday.
Yet Slot, who has been in constant dialogue with the medical team regarding Isak's fitness, hinted in Tuesday's press that the club's record signing could be set to start at Anfield for the opening Champions League match of the season.
"“The only thing that is sure is that he will not play 90, and all the rest we will see tomorrow," said the Liverpool head coach, when asked if Isak could start.
But speaking before the Atletico game, Slot revealed he always planned to hand Isak a first start on Wednesday.
"This was the plan all along," the Liverpool head coach told TNT Sports.
"That’s why he wasn’t involved in the Burnley game, so he could have a few proper sessions in the time he was with us.
"That’s what you need in pre-season; you don’t start with friendlies, you start with a proper training week, and in the end of that training week you can play 45, maybe 60 minutes.
That’s what we are going to see for him today."
Slot also chose to bring in Jeremie Frimpong and Andy Robertson in the full-back positions.