Arne Slot Gives Update On Alexander Isak’s Fitness – ‘We Have To Build Him Up Gradually’
Alexander Isak will not be rushed into full action for Liverpool after his record £125m move from Newcastle United, with Arne Slot making clear the striker’s fitness must be carefully managed.
The Sweden international missed the entire pre-season at St James’ Park as he forced through a move to Anfield, refusing to train after what he claimed were “broken promises” when an earlier £110m bid was rejected.
His dream switch finally went through on deadline day, but the lack of preparation has left Liverpool wary. He featured for only 18 minutes across two World Cup qualifiers during the break, and Slot says supporters will need patience as he builds up fitness.
“Don’t expect Alex to be on for 90 minutes in every game over the next few weeks,” Slot said ahead of Sunday’s trip to Burnley. “He missed a proper pre-season, three or four months of team sessions, we have to build him up gradually. With us playing so many games, hardly any training time, that’ll be a challenge.
“We haven’t signed him for not only the upcoming two weeks, but, I think, six years. That’s what we have to keep in mind. What the fans have to keep in mind, if I take him off at a certain moment, or I only bring him only for a small amount of minutes – it’s for the long-term fitness of the player. In football there’s always criticism. It’s part of his life, my life, our jobs.”
The Dutch Manager praised Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson for also protecting the striker: “The Swedish manager deserves a big compliment because he gets the best striker in the world but understands if he plays 90 minutes twice, he might be injured for a number of weeks. We will treat him the same as they did.”
The Liverpool head coach admitted he has barely spoken to Isak since the move, but is looking forward to working with him closely.
“Maybe you don’t believe me but I haven’t spoken to him that much. I phoned him after he signed and he had to go to Sweden but 99 per cent of the time during breaks, I leave the players for their national managers. I text him once or twice but I do have to get to know him in the upcoming days and weeks.
“We have such a great culture here at this club, so we sign players for his qualities and I know how good he is, what a quality player he is.”
