Alexander Isak is back at the AXA Training Centre but Liverpool fans will have to wait a little longer to see their record signing back in competitive action.
The Sweden international, who became the most expensive player in British history following his move from Newcastle United last September, has been sidelined since undergoing surgery on a fractured fibula and ankle injury sustained against Tottenham in December.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest, Slot revealed that while Isak is back on the pitch, the club are continuing to treat the 26-year-old’s return with maximum caution.
Slot on Alexander Isak plan going forward
After stepping up his rehabilitation this week, Isak now has his eyes firmly on a return to the pitch. His manager remains cautious but did provide an expected return date.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference before Liverpool’s trip to Nottingham Forest, Slot went into detail on Liverpool’s injuries and the next steps for the 26-year-old.
He said: “Alex, I think he has been on the pitch now, not with his football shoes but with his running shoes, for the first time this week, so that will still take a while as well before he is ready to play for us again.”
Alexander Isak’s Liverpool statistics (2025/26):
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Premier League | 10 | 2 | 1 |
| UEFA Champions League | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| EFL Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 16 | 3 | 1 |
When asked if Isak would be back in action before the March international break, Slot responded: “It will be somewhere around there and then it’s always the question if things go really well or if he gets a little bit of a setback. So, it will be around that period of time end of March, start of April when he’s hopefully back with the group.”
“When you’re back with the group it’s not to say that you are ready to play, let alone start, a game of football because, again, he’s been out for months and the last time he’s been out for months I think we could all see that it took him a while before he was the player we have signed from Newcastle.”
Slot: a lot of work to be done
The positive news for supporters is that if they continue in the Champions League, Isak should be back for some of the knockout fixtures. The same goes for the latter stages in the FA Cup, if they advance.
Slot made sure to temper expectations after images of the player at the training ground surfaced this week.
“I think it’s nice for him to go on the pitch, it’s nice for us to see him there because, there’s still a lot of work to be done, but you do know as a player, you arrive in the final stages of your rehab [when you get back onto the pitch], where as long as you’re in the gym you are not on the pitch yet, that’s not the nicest part.”
“But the next step is, of course, doing work with the ball, which every player likes most, and then the next step is going into the group, and then it takes a while before you’re ready to play. But it’s nice that the rehab goes well, that’s a compliment for him but also to our medical staff.”
Isak’s most likely first game back
Should his recovery continue without a hitch over the March international break, the Swedish international will be eyeing a return for the first game back.
That would see him in contention for the Premier League clash with Fulham at Anfield on April 11.
But the real tests lie immediately beyond that. Make no mistake, Liverpool will want their record-breaking striker at full tilt for what comes next: a trip to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium for the Merseyside derby on April 18, before a high-stakes showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford on May 2.
For Arne Slot, having his £125million man available for the run-in could be the difference maker The countdown is officially on.
Isak’s potential first five Premier League games back:
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Competition |
| Sat 11 April | Fulham | Anfield | Premier League |
| Sat 18 April | Everton | Hill Dickinson Stadium | Premier League |
| Sat 25 April | Crystal Palace | Anfield | Premier League |
| Sat 2 May | Manchester United | Old Trafford | Premier League |
| Sat 9 May | Chelsea | Anfield | Premier League |
It would be a huge boost to Liverpool’s pursuit of Champions League qualification and silverware to have the best version of Isak on the pitch.
He’s struggled to show his best form in a red shirt so far, unfortunately. Isak found the net just three times in 16 appearances before his injury. More will eventually be expected of a £125 million player.
