Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has received a monumental fitness boost at the most critical juncture of the season.
Record signing Alexander Isak is expected to resume first team training this week according to the telegraph, marking the end of a grueling four-month stint on the sidelines.
The Swedish international hasn’t featured for the Reds since December 20, 2025, when he suffered a fractured left fibula during the 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The injury occurred in the act of scoring, following a heavy challenge from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven.
After a winter of rehabilitation he is finally closing in on a return to the squad.
Isak has been undergoing individual sessions at the AXA Training Centre and is now ready to rejoin his teammates. While the striker has been itching for a comeback, the coaching staff remains cautious.
Slot noted that while Isak is a “world-class” talent, expectations must be managed:
“Alex will be available for PSG, yes. But you don’t play 90 minutes after one training session. We are trying to make sure we see the best of him this season, but it is 100% sure fans will see the best of him next season.”
The 26-year-old, who joined Liverpool for a British record £125 million from Newcastle United last September, has seen his debut campaign at Anfield interrupted by fitness struggles.
Before his injury, Isak managed three goals and an assist in 16 appearances, showing only flashes of the brilliance that made him the league’s most expensive acquisition.
Perfect timing for the “business end”
Liverpool faces a daunting schedule following the international break. The Reds travel to the Etihad Stadium this Saturday, April 4, for a high-stakes FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City. While the City game may come too soon for a starting role, there is growing optimism that Isak could feature on the bench as an “emergency” option.
However, the more realistic target is the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, April 8. With fellow striker Hugo Ekitike recently suffering a “dead leg” against Brighton Hove Albion and playing minimal minutes whilst on international duty with France and Mohamed Salah managing his own workload, Isak’s return provides much-needed tactical flexibility.
Player Goals (25/26) Status Alexander Isak 3 Returning to Training Hugo Ekitike 17 Fit (Recovered from Dead Leg) Mohamed Salah 15+ Fit Rio Ngumoha 1 Available Arne Slot is unlikely to throw Isak into the deep end against Manchester City, but the prospect of the Swede getting minutes at the Parc des Princes is very real.
For a team currently navigating the “business end” of both domestic and European competitions, having a £125m striker back in the fold is the ultimate wildcard.
