Liverpool have been without Alexander Isak since his injury in December, but Arne Slott is confident of bringing the reborn player back once he returns to full fitness.
Arne Slott is confident that Alexander Isak will do well
Arne Slott is adamant that Liverpool will see the best from Alexander Isak next season and expects the Swede to return to the pitch towards the end of March.
Isak joined from Newcastle on deadline day in the summer in a UK record transfer, but has had an underwhelming performance so far. Part of that was due to him not taking part in pre-season after being frozen out by the Magpies during back-to-back games in the summer.
The 26-year-old has scored just three goals in 16 appearances for the Reds before suffering another setback when he was injured during the win over Tottenham in December.
Isak had timely selection issues as Liverpool were trying to find roles for all their summer signings, but this prevented Slott from making the biggest investment. However, the Swede continues to progress with his head coach confident that he will return to top form.
Speaking about his return, he said: “They don’t stay in bed 24 hours a day before they go on the pitch, but it’s nice to have him on the pitch and it’s nice to see him out there. You know he’s in the final stages of his rehabilitation. The next step is of course to work on the ball and then he’ll be in the group, but it’s going to take some time before he’s ready to play. I’m happy that the rehabilitation has gone well. Kudos to him and our medical staff.”
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Asked about the possibility of a proper pre-season, the Liverpool manager added: “We’re going to have a different player now, but I’m hoping that at the end of this season we’ll have a different player compared to what he’s had so far. Unfortunately, for him and for us, we haven’t seen the best of Alex yet. We will do that next season.”
Isak is one of the most impressive forwards in the Premier League, scoring 62 goals in three seasons with Newcastle. He was unable to maintain that form at Anfield, and Slott insisted, “I didn’t want to set a deadline (for his return), but it’s clear that if things go as planned this season, he will be able to play.”
Alexander Isaac has been sidelined since December (Image: Mark Atkins, Getty Images)
Asked about a date, he added: “It will be around the international break, but it depends on whether he has a setback or not. He will be back in the group at the end of March or the beginning of April. That doesn’t mean he will be ready to start playing right away.”
Isak struggled to make the same impact he had at St James’ Park before his injury. Add to that the signing of Hugo Ekitike, another player who can also lead the line, in the summer. The Frenchman continues to be the team’s top scorer, but Isak was selected into the starting XI and occasionally sat on the bench.
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