Arne Slot has provided an update on Alexander Isak after the forward was named in the Liverpool squad for the trip to Paris to face PSG in the Champions League
Arne Slot has confirmed that Alexander Isak won’t start for Liverpool against Paris Saint-Germain – but he could feature at the Parc des Princes. Isak has travelled with the Reds to France after being included in a Reds squad for the first time since fracturing his leg in December.
The Sweden international returned to first-team training last week but was left out of the squad for the 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City on Saturday. But the forward is now in line to return to action for the first time since he broke a bone in his leg when being challenged by Micky van de Ven during his side’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur just before Christmas.
"He finished close to a week of team training sessions; he can play a part, otherwise I wouldn't take him,” Slot confirmed at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday night.
"I didn't take him to the Etihad because we felt he wasn't able to get a performance yet. We think we can get a performance out of him now, but not to start."
The Reds arrive in Paris under the spotlight after Saturday's 4-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium compounded a 2-1 loss at Brighton before the international break. Speaking after the weekend’s game, captain Virgil van Dijk made the stark admission that his side gave up against City and offered an apology to supporters for the team’s performance.
And when asked about the centre-back’s remarks, Slot said: "Sometimes in a game of football you want to do things in a certain way but are not about to for various reasons.
"But one of them can definitely be conceding goals when you think you are playing well and are in the game. Usually in football, moments that hurt you most are just before half-time and just after.
"Immediately after half-time we went 3-0 down. Then I saw five minutes where we were too open and players were struggling.
"The good thing was after 4-0 that City seemed to be happy with that and we had constant ball possession so they weren't able to create many more chances.
"I didn't see players giving up but it is good for a captain to have a strong and firm reaction after a game like that. Hopefully it is not only immediately after the game and that, as a team we can show a strong and firm reaction tomorrow evening."
Luis Enrique’s side are heavy favourites to come out on top in the tie, but Slot believes: "I don't think it matters if there is a favourite. It's only about two games, a lot can happen in two games. Both teams have very good players, and last season showed they could go toe to toe.
"Last season I think we deserved to lose here 4-0, but that game was only thanks to Alisson that we didn't lose 4-0. At Anfield I think we deserved to win that game.
"The difference between these two teams is that PSG kept the group together. I think our team will look different to the team that was here last season."