Isak Makes Training Return Ahead of Manchester City Clash
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has called for patience with record signing Alexander Isak as the Swedish striker returns to team training ahead of Sunday's crucial Premier League encounter against Manchester City. The £125 million signing from Newcastle United will train with the squad for the first time in three weeks on Friday, though Slot emphasized the need for cautious expectations regarding the player's immediate availability.
Injury Recovery Timeline
Isak has been sidelined since coming off at half-time during Liverpool's Champions League victory in Frankfurt last month, missing several key matches due to a groin injury. The 26-year-old has managed just eight appearances for his new club since his dramatic deadline-day transfer and is yet to open his Premier League account for the Reds.
"He will train for the first time today with the team again, after being three weeks out," Slot confirmed during his pre-match press conference on Friday. The Dutch manager acknowledged his previous comments about Isak's pre-season being over but stressed that rehabilitation work cannot replicate match fitness.
Manager's Cautious Approach
Slot explained the challenges of returning from injury, noting that three weeks of rehabilitation doesn't bring a player back to their previous performance levels. "You cannot compare rehab with games of football or training sessions with the team," he stated. "As much as we try to replicate it, that's simply not possible. So, again I have to say, give him some time."
The Liverpool boss also provided positive news about goalkeeper Alisson Becker, confirming the Brazilian should be available immediately after the upcoming international break following the Manchester City match.
Title Race Context
Sunday's encounter takes on added significance with both traditional powerhouses playing catch-up to Arsenal in the Premier League title race. The Gunners currently sit six points clear of second-placed Manchester City, with Liverpool one point further back despite ending their four-match losing streak with a victory against Aston Villa last week.
Liverpool followed that league win with an impressive Champions League triumph over Real Madrid on Tuesday, providing momentum ahead of the Etihad Stadium showdown. When asked if the match represented a "must-win" scenario for both teams, Slot focused instead on achieving consistency following his team's mixed recent form.
"We've won two (against Villa and Real Madrid), so our focus is on getting consistent and improving, getting players fit, and then we will see where that will lead to," the Liverpool manager explained.
Slot expressed enthusiasm about facing Pep Guardiola's side, praising City's predictable but effective style of play. "What I like about Pep Guardiola's teams is that you get 10 out of 10 times what you were hoping for — a great game of football with no time-wasting and all kinds of things that I start to dislike more and more about football," he added.
