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Alexander Isak’s return to the Liverpool squad didn’t go to plan, with the striker forced to watch from the sidelines as his teammates were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City on Sunday.
Isak has not started a Liverpool match since October 22 and has sat out the last five matches following the groin injury he sustained in the Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Sweden international returned to training on Friday for the first time in nearly three weeks and was named in the squad that traveled to the Etihad on Sunday, but Slot opted not to introduce Isak with Liverpool trailing.
While the Liverpool head coach didn’t explain the rationale behind that decision, he did provide an update on Isak ahead of the game.
“For me, he is in the end stage of his rehab,” Slot told Sky Sports. “Had two training sessions with us.
“Yes, we have trained, but not with the intensity that would have been best for Alex. He is there if he needs to help us.”
Isak’s fitness levels have been a recurring issue since he left Newcastle United on deadline day, with the forward essentially missing out on a pre-season after he was frozen out by Eddie Howe and forced to train away from the first-team group.
Isak built up his fitness in the first weeks at Liverpool and, after starting three consecutive league matches, Slot declared the 26-year-old was finally up to speed following the October international break.
Yet he sustained an injury just two matches later and has been unable to make a significant contribution since his record-breaking transfer.
Isak was named in Graham Potter’s Sweden squad last week, and Slot will hope he can build up his sharpness with the international squad before returning to Liverpool for the longest run of unbroken run of fixtures in the club season. November’s international break is the last until March.
Meanwhile, Slot called for patience on Friday and said Isak will need time to work his way back to full fitness.
“He will train with the team for the first time today after being three weeks out. I know I said three weeks ago his pre-season was ended, so now we have to see where he is,” said the Dutchman.
“If you are three week only with the rehab that doesn’t bring him back to the levels he was three weeks ago. You cannot compare rehab with games of football or training with the team. So, again I have to say give him some time.”
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