Alexander Isak faces injury 'complication' as Arne Slot makes Liverpool return admission

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Alexander Isak is back in training for Liverpool, and Arne Slot has rated his striker's chances of featuring in the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester CityAlexander Isak could make his Liverpool return against Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)Arne Slot has suggested Alexander Isak could play a part against Manchester City on Saturday, although the Liverpool boss is wary that the nature of the FA Cup tie could complicate matters.Isak has made his return to training this week, having been out since December after breaking his leg against Tottenham.The striker joined in with the rest of his teammates on Thursday, and is expected to train again on Friday ahead of the Reds’ quarter-final clash at the Etihad Stadium. Despite such a lengthy lay-off, Slot has confirmed Isak could be in contention for a place on the bench on Saturday.READ MORE: Steven Gerrard names moment that Liverpool's problems under Arne Slot beganREAD MORE: 'Mohamed Salah has two choices after Liverpool exit — one transfer would be wrong move'Whether he makes his way onto the pitch is another matter though.

With a winner needing to be decided on the day, the game could go to extra time, which could put Slot and Isak in a tricky situation.“It’s a difficult one because we don’t play a ‘normal’ game,” Slot said on Friday when asked whether Isak could feature against City.“What I mean is it could go to extra time, so that makes it even more complicated if you bring him in, if we think he can only play 10 minutes.“If we already think this, and you bring him in 10 minutes before the end and then you go to extra time, then of course you can take him off again if we have enough players available to bring another player in.Alexander Isak made his return to Liverpool training this week(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)“Maybe a few minutes, but let’s wait and see how it is with him today and how he feels about it himself.“It’s clear after two training sessions and 100 days [out], it would not make any sense to start him tomorrow.”Isak returns at what is a crucial time for Liverpool, with the final couple of the months of the season set to decide whether the Reds will be in the Champions League again next season.Although he has been out for a long time, Slot has been left impressed with the shape Isak has returned in, and has even suggested he might be better prepared now than he was when he first arrived at Anfield.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.“It wasn’t only that he missed pre-season, he missed also the end of Newcastle’s season, and he didn’t go with the national team, so he missed much more than only pre-season,” Slot said.“What’s realistic?

I think rehab did a great job. If I look at him now compared to where he was before he got injured, I see a player that’s much stronger, physically in a much better place.“But going from 100 days off to the intensity of the Premier League, and the end phase of the season and the end phase of the Champions League where usually the opposition you face is even harder, what’s realistic to expect is really difficult.“But I’m really, really happy that I have at least a No.9 again available together with Hugo [Ekitike], so that’s already a positive thing.“What to expect, I’ve said many times that next season, when he’s had a proper pre-season, we can expect more from him maybe than now, but even the way he is now is already a big step forward for us compared to what we had when he was injured.”