Liverpool striker Alexander Isak’s involvement in the upcoming international break hasn’t been completely ruled out by Arne Slot, even though it is unlikely.
The Swede became the most expensive signing in Reds history last summer, but his first season at Anfield has been a frustrating one.
Having struggled to find match sharpness earlier in the campaign, Isak then suffered a broken leg while scoring against Tottenham just before Christmas, and he hasn’t featured since.
Now, speaking to reporters, with quotes shared by the Liverpool Echo, Slot has stressed not to allow expectations to get too high, but also hinted that he isn’t definitely out of Sweden’s internationals at the end of the month.
“If you ask me now I would say I don’t expect [Isak to go on duty with Sweden],” Slot said.
“But we are still one and a half weeks off, there is always co-operation between club and country but I don’t expect him to play for us before that.
“Again, I have to mess up the party again. Let’s say [he comes back] at the beginning of April, he has been out for three and a half months and not trained with the team for three and a half months. The last time he did that, it took him a while to get up to speed.
“I am really, really looking forward to having him back but don’t get the expectations again so high that the minute he is on the pitch, he is at the level of what we spent that money on.”
Any Alexander Isak brilliance an added bonus this season
Having Isak back will be a massive boost for Liverpool and Slot, easing the workload on Hugo Ekitike and allowing the Reds to call upon a player whom Alan Shearer has called “world-class” in the past.
The reality is that the Premier League champions are unlikely to see the best of the 26-year-old until next season, however, once he has a full pre-season behind him.
If Isak does return soon and scores some vital goals in both the league and the Champions League, it will feel like an added bonus for Liverpool.
But it is important that he isn’t rushed back too soon by the Reds, potentially damaging the injury further, so patience is required with the striker.
