Arne Slot makes Alexander Isak Liverpool decision and hits back at pundits over spending claims

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Arne Slot speaks at today's press conference to preview Liverpool's Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid at Anfield

Arne Slot believes Alexander Isak is ready to make his long-awaited Liverpool debut - as he defended the Reds' record-breaking £450m summer spend.

Isak, a £125m deadline day arrival from Newcastle United, is in line to play some part as Slot's side begin their Champions League campaign at home to La Liga side Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening.

The striker missed Sunday's Premier League win at Burnley to work on his fitness having made just one brief cameo appearance for Sweden since the end of last season.

And Arne Slot said: “There is definitely a chance (Isak will play) because he is in the squad.

The only thing that is sure is that he will not play 90, and all the rest we will see."

Isak has just six previous Champions League career appearances combined for previous clubs Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle.

And when asked about the biggest challenge now facing the striker, Slot added: "Getting fit after missing four months of proper team sessions.

"He doesn’t have to prove to anyone he is good enough to play in the Premier League because that is what he has proven already at Newcastle.

"He has to become so fit that he is first of all ready to do what he did last season.

Then he can play 90, then the next step is playing three times in a week and then the next step is going one step further in terms of pressing.

"Scoring goals and doing special things in attack is something he will 100% do."

Isak was the centrepiece of a major squad overhaul in which £116m attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, £79m striker Hugo Ekitike, £40m left-back Milos Kerkez, £29m right-back Jeremie Frimpong and £26m centre-back Giovanni Leoni were also purchased.

Such a heavy spend has attracted significant scrutiny, but Slot believes that Liverpool have recouped more than half their outlay through sales is being overlooked.

"There's so much focus on our new signings, especially pundits who favour not us but some other clubs in the country that cannot stop talking about £450m, I repeat £450m, I repeat £450m, but they always forget the millions that we've sold for," said the Reds boss.

"These players we have brought in together with players that are worth the same amount of money.

I think we did great business, we brought in great players and to add to that, we have already lowered the age of the players.

"Some other teams prefer to bring in 27-year-olds because they are ready but we think we have brought in players who are 21 or 22 who are ready.

"And then if they are still with you in four or five years, we can sell Luis Diaz for £65m.

That is our model and I think we should get praise.

"It is only a compliment that people tell everyone we have spent so much because that tells you the players we brought in are seen as very good players.

"All the money we have spent we generated ourselves by selling and by winning the league."

Wirtz in particular has come in for criticism after a slow start to his Anfield career, with the 22-year-old Germany international having yet to complete a full 90 minutes.

But Slot said: "There is so much focus on Florian, but the ones that have stayed behind as part of a team haven’t scored four goals or got 12 assists either.

"He is part for team that is top of the league, that won against Newcastle and Arsenal, where the team of last season didn’t win.