Why Alexander Isak is not in Liverpool squad to face Burnley

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Image Credits: Imago Images

Liverpool prepare to face off against Burnley this afternoon at Turf Moor.

The Reds are currently the only side with a 100% record in the Premier League, winning all three of their games so far against Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Arsenal.

Many will expect them to extend that unbeaten run today against Burnley, who haven’t posed much of a threat in recent matchups between the two.

Liverpool have been the dominant side, and the players will be confident they can get a good result today.

Arne Slot has named the same side that beat Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield before the latest international break.

Dominik Szoboszlai starts his third successive game at right-back, whilst Milos Kerkez occupies the other flank.

The usual partnership of Ibrahima Konate next to Virgil van Dijk has been deployed, with Alisson Becker between the sticks.

Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch keep the engine room running, and Florian Wirtz once again starts, looking to register his first goal contribution in the Premier League for Liverpool.

Whilst many may have expected this to be the game that deadline day signing Alexander Isak makes his appearance for the Reds, Liverpool will have to wait a little bit longer to see him in a Reds shirt after he was left out of today’s squad.

The reason has been revealed ahead of the game by Arne Slot.

“As everybody knew, he didn’t have any team training at Newcastle, then went to the national team and only played for fifteen/twenty minutes, and we think that with a week that we play three games in seven days, this is the best lead up for him to be available against Atletico Madrid.”

“We’ve decided it is best for him to have a proper week of training instead of every time going for five or ten minutes of playing.

I can assure the fans that he will be involved on Wednesday, but this game came a bit too early.”

Jamie Carragher asked Arne Slot before the game to give a timepsna on when Isak could returnt oa ction, Slot replied, saying:

“So, able to hopefully play during the week forty-five minutes or more, but then two days later we play Everton again so it is going to be interesting for the permanace staff and for us to get the best out of him from the start but also keep him available til the end.”

“Because another player who wasn’t available for team trainign for a long time, the one from Brentford Wissa?

he got two ninety minute games and he is out with an injury now for four weeks but that tells you how difficult the balance is with a player who missed team sessions for such a long time.”

Arne Slot did insist on the importance of easing the Swedish striker back into action slowly, and this is a sign of him giving Isak a chance to build himself up to full match fitness.

As a result of Isak’s exclusion, Hugo Ekitike will lead the line as he has done so brilliantly so far this season, with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah either side of him.

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