LFC Live - When Alexander Isak can make his Liverpool debut after £125m striker misses Burnley

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Alexander Isak could make his Liverpool debut this week.(Image: Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool record signing Alexander Isak was a notable absentee from their narrow 1-0 win over Burnley on Sunday.

The Reds needed Mohamed Salah's stoppage-time penalty to see off the 10-man Clarets as Arne Slot's side returned to the top of the Premier League.

When Alexander Isak can make his Liverpool debut after £125m striker misses Burnley

The Sweden international was left out of the matchday squad at Turf Moor, with Hugo Ekitike continuing to lead the line.

Isak met his new teammates for the first time in preparation for the showdown with the newly promoted side following his move on deadline day.

After ending his summer-long saga following his bitter exit from Newcastle United, Isak's comeback to a domestic first-team environment was the first time since July after being forced to train away from Eddie Howe's side.

READ MORE:Alexander Isak reacts to Liverpool win after Burnley absence explainedREAD MORE:Virgil van Dijk gesture speaks volumes after Liverpool beat Burnley

Speaking after the match, Slot confirmed the decision was made with the forward's fitness in mind and with the need to not rush him back after his time in the cold.

However, the Reds head coach hinted that Isak could make his debut during Wednesday's Champions League curtain-raiser against Atletico Madrid.

"If you start a season when the players have been off for five weeks, you give them a certain base before they are able to play 45 minutes," said Slot.

"We got him from Newcastle in a state where you could see his pre-season was going to start now, then he needs proper minutes of training before he has a certain base, let alone for him to play twice in three days.

"We try to prepare players at the beginning of the season to play once a week and then we try to do more before the rhythm of three games a week.

"Alex is far from ready for that schedule of three games in a week but we could use him today for five minutes and Wednesday 10 and then 15, but we don't believe that is the way to build him up.

"In Sweden they did the right thing by giving him good sessions without playing him a lot and we did the same so now he will be able to play 45 on Wednesday as a minimum or a little bit more.

"But if he plays 45 on Wednesday, don't expect him to play 45 or more on Saturday (against Everton) as his body is not prepared for that."

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The Premier League champions have six games before the next round of internationals in October as they take on the La Liga side before hosting Everton and Southampton, in the Carabao Cup.

But going into the break next month, Liverpool have three straight away matches against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea.

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