 "Liverpool manager Arne Slot on the pitch before a match. Image: Reuters")
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has opened up on the much-awaited debut of new signing Alexander Isak. Slot calls Isak “maybe the best striker in the world” and revealed that the Sweden forward will be eased into action gradually and will not play every single match for entire 90 minutes.
The Premier League champions signed Isak from Newcastle United on the last day of the summer transfer window . He was signed for a record fee of $169 million. Liverpool fans are expecting him to make his debut soon, but Slot has hinted that they might have to wait a little longer to see Isak in reds.
Slot on Isak’s debut
Slot further added that he is going to use Isak the same way as Sweden coach Jon Dahl Tomasson. Isak came as a late substitute in their 2-0 defeat against Kosovo during the recent international break. The 25-year-old is coming off an injury break and has not played club football this season.
“We will treat Alex the same as they did. Don’t expect him to be every single game 90 minutes on the pitch. That’s definitely not going to happen in the upcoming weeks. He missed a proper pre-season, he missed three or four months of team sessions,” Slot told reporters ahead of Sunday’s match.
“That’s definitely not going to happen in the upcoming weeks. He missed a proper pre-season, he missed three or four months of team sessions,” he added. Isak is expected to make his debut in Liverpool’s upcoming game against Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday, September 14.
“We have to build him up gradually, with us playing so many games, hardly any training time, that’s going to be a challenge. But we haven’t signed him for the upcoming two weeks, we’ve signed him for six years, so this is what we have to keep in mind and what the fans have to keep in mind …,” Slot said.
Liverpool were also close to signing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi on deadline day but a deal for the England international fell through.
“We would have liked to have signed him, of course,” said Slot. “If we feel we can strengthen the team we never hesitate to do so. It’s not like all of a sudden we don’t have options in that position.
“It’s a pity, not only for us but also for the player, I think.
“But he’s in a good place, playing for Palace, where he won the Charity Shield and the FA Cup with a very good manager as well. Let’s see what the future brings.”
Liverpool are top of the league table with nine points from three matches.
(With agency inputs)