Arne Slot sends Alexander Isak message to Liverpool supporters
Alexander Isak joined Liverpool on transfer deadline day from Newcastle United and Arne Slot has been speaking about the forward
Arne Slot has revealed Alexander Isak will be eased into action as he told Liverpool supporters the forward will be treated carefully in the upcoming weeks. The 25-year-old moved to Anfield on deadline day for a British record transfer fee, and the transfer brought an end to a long, drawn-out saga that had lasted 55 days.
The Sweden international effectively went on strike and also issued a damning statement in which he said his relationship with the club was over. As a result of Isak’s stance, he never featured for Newcastle United during pre-season and missed their first three Premier League games of the season.
He also trained alone from the main group, and Slot has warned Reds supporters that it will take time for his new recruit to get up to speed.
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He said: “First of all, the Swedish manager Tomasson deserves a big compliment because he gets maybe the best striker in the world and needs him for his country but understands that playing him might result in injuries, so he took care of the player and he deserves a big compliment for that.
“We will treat Alex the same, so don’t expect 90 mins every week, he missed pre-season and team sessions, so we have to build him up gradually.
“But that will be a challenge, but we have signed him for six years, so this is what the fans have to keep in mind if I bring him in.
“In football, there’s always criticism, sometimes they cheer for us; after the League Cup, they were happy with him, in other moments, you get criticised. This is part of his life, my life, and now he is a player for us.”
Isak joined Newcastle in a £60m move from Real Sociedad in 2022 and scored 27 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions last season. The forward joins an attacking line-up that includes Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Federico Chiesa, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike.
And asked about his options, Slot said: “If you question the first time I’ve had that as LFC manager, then the answer is no.
“Diogo (Jota), Darwin (Nunez), Lucho (Luis Diaz), those who are no longer here. Jurgen could do this in the past too, changing the game with options when needed.
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“The players are fit, I think so. We trained today with most of them for the first time this week. Curtis Jones got injured in the last game, so he will not be available for the game against Burnley, but everyone came back without a problem.
“That is not always the case. We are happy they are fit, so a big compliment for Sweden manager and a few others, Ryan Gravenberch only started one game for Netherlands.”
After returning from international duty with Sweden, Isak reported to the AXA Training Centre on Wednesday, and Slot has revealed he has had very little contact with his new signing.
“Maybe don’t believe me, but I haven’t spoken to him that much,” he said. “I phoned him after he signed and he had to go to Sweden, but 99 percent 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. But 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.
“I don’t think you can compare any situations with another; different owners, different situations – you cannot compare (Isak and Marc Guehi).
“I felt all the way we needed another attacking player, so happy we could get the one we wanted.”
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