Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that new signing Alexander Isak will not be expected to play full 90-minute matches in the immediate weeks following his arrival. The Swedish striker, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle United for a British record £125 million, has faced a disrupted pre-season and limited recent match fitness, prompting the club to adopt a cautious approach to his integration.
“Don’t expect him to be every single game 90 minutes on the pitch,” Slot said. “That’s definitely not going to happen in the upcoming weeks. He missed a proper pre-season; I think he missed three or four months of team sessions, so now we have to build him up gradually.” The manager emphasized that this careful approach is aimed at safeguarding Isak’s long-term fitness and ensuring he can perform at his peak over the course of the season.
Slot also highlighted the long-term nature of Liverpool’s investment in the striker, noting that Isak has signed a six-year contract. The club’s patience reflects a commitment not just to immediate results but to sustainable performance, allowing Isak to regain full sharpness without risking injury.
The manager praised Sweden national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson for the way he managed Isak’s playing time during international duty. Tomasson limited the striker to a brief substitute appearance against Kosovo, a move that Slot said helped prevent any potential setbacks and contributed to Isak’s gradual return to top-level football.
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Isak’s Liverpool debut is expected in the near future, though Slot has indicated that he will most likely start from the bench. The plan is for the striker to build minutes gradually, eventually returning to a full starting role later in the season as his fitness and confidence grow.
Fans are advised to be patient with the striker’s reintegration, understanding that managing his workload now is an investment in both his performance and the team’s success. While supporters are eager to see the record signing make an immediate impact, Slot’s cautious approach underlines a broader trend in modern football: the careful management of elite athletes to maximize long-term contribution and minimize injury risk.
Liverpool will be hoping that, once fully fit, Isak can provide the attacking spark the team needs across domestic and European competitions.
