I know what Liverpool now need to do with Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi

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Sweden and Liverpool forward Alexander Isak(Image: JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Alexander Isak is finally back in action after his cameo from the bench for Sweden earlier this week.

But there’s absolutely no reason why Liverpool should rush the striker into the first team.

It is far, far too early for that.



But Isak is only really going to build up his fitness by coming off the bench, and I fully expect him to do that at Burnley on Sunday and in the games coming up against Atletico Madrid and Everton.

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There’s no reason why the striker can’t be given an hour or so in the League Cup game against Southampton later this month.

It would, though, be a risk to give him many if any starts before that.

And the good thing for Liverpool is they don’t have to, given the great begining to the Anfield career of Hugo Ekitike.

I’ve liked what I’ve seen of Ekitike so far.

Looking at Ekitike, his movement suggests he can most definitely play in a wide role, offering an alternative to Cody Gakpo on the left and even Mohamed Salah on the right.

That so many of his forwards are flexible is a massive bonus for Arne Slot and will give him a lot of tactical options the longer the season progresses, which is what Liverpool are going to need.

I’m hoping Florian Wirtz will gain some confidence also from his goal for Germany against Northern Ireland on Sunday.

When I was an international player with the Republic of Ireland, if I’d done well then I’d be buzzing when returning to my club and my regular game would benefit.

I’ve mentioned before about Wirtz and that it will take time for him to adapt, and his comments suggesting as such this week were entirely sensible.

Wirtz hasn’t yet shown Liverpool supporters exactly what he is made of, but he has been bought for many seasons and not just the first few weeks of this one.

Marc of appreciation from Reds

Liverpool look like they could wait until the end of the season before making a move for Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi.

And a change in that approach could depend on whether anything happens with Ibrahima Konate during the January transfer window.

Konate and Guehi are basically in the same situation – both are in the last year of their contract and will be able to leave for a free in the summer.

But while we know Guehi is definitely going to leave Palace, there’s still a chance Konate could agree a new deal at Liverpool, even if Real Madrid are sniffing about in their typical manner.

The Reds, of course, run the risk of other clubs offering Guehi a more lucrative contract when he becomes a free agent.

But when it comes to English clubs, surely there are none more glamorous to play for than Liverpool at present.

They are champions for a reason and you’d imagine they are going to be challenging for honours over the next couple of years.

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Manchester United may be the biggest club in terms of size but they are miles away at the moment and their chairman doesn’t seem to have properly grasped the task in hand.

Arsenal and Chelsea could be interested, but neither is quite Liverpool.