Arne Slot faces difficult Alexander Isak decision as Liverpool consider striker change

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Liverpool completed the signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United on deadline day and he could make his debut at Burnley on Sunday(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The long wait is almost over.

A full two months since it was first confirmed Liverpool were very much interested in signing Alexander Isak, the £125million arrival from Newcastle United is now ready to pull on a red shirt for the first time.

Well, a green one to be more precise, with Arne Slot's side donning their new third kit for the short trip to promoted Burnley on Sunday afternoon.

Having not featured at all for Newcastle since the end of last season, Isak was given his first minutes as a late substitute in Sweden's 2-0 World Cup qualifying loss in Kosovo on Monday night.

But how long should the striker be given at the weekend?

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The ECHO's Liverpool writers ponder a delicate situation...

Having played less than 20 minutes since May, it's fair to say it might take some time for Alexander Isak to get up to the sort of speed that has made him a British record transfer at £125m.

Sweden international Isak was a second-half substitute on Monday as Kosovo won 2-0 in their World Cup qualifier and that decision was taken after consultation between the national team's medical department and their counterparts at Liverpool, with Arne Slot also in dialogue with manager Jon Dahl Tomasson.

But as the Reds get set to do battle in three competitions in September in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup, before another international break in October, how much time should Isak realistically be afforded?

Fortunately, the former Newcastle United man is not entering a side who have struggled for goals or creativity in their opening three games so far.

The Premier League champions have scored eight in fixtures with Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal, with Hugo Ekitike in particular assuming the striking mantle with aplomb.

It means Isak doesn't need to be thrust into the action prematurely but with Atletico Madrid and Everton to visit Anfield next week, might this Sunday's trip to Burnley represent the most straightforward of the three games in six days?

Anywhere between 20 and 30 minutes might be ideal for the 25-year-old at Turf Moor as Slot and his staff go about getting some match fitness into the legs of the £125m striker.

The sooner they achieve that, the quicker he will begin to repay the fee, so while the lack of action over the last four months would suggest it is wise to display caution, this weekend is the best opportunity for Isak to get some meaningful game time in what is a busy upcoming week.

Liverpool supporters have had to wait a long time for the dream signing of Alexander Isak to become reality.

So they won't mind hanging on just a little bit longer to see the striker in action for his new club.

While there are no concerns over injury for Isak, his match sharpness will understandably be nowhere near usual levels having played for barely 20 minutes since the end of last season.

The Sweden international has kept himself ticking over throughout the summer by training to an individual programme.

But it's one thing to be generally in top shape - quite another to have the fitness required to withstand the rigours of a Premier League campaign.

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Fortunately, the fact Hugo Ekitike has hit the ground running at Anfield since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt has significantly eased both the pressure on the Frenchman but also the clamour to throw Isak straight in.

That would be foolish.

It would be a brave move to give the player a full debut against either Atletico Madrid or Everton.

The 25-year-old, then, can be restricted to bench duty for now.