After lifting their 20th top-flight title last season, Liverpool broke their transfer record in the summer by signing Alexander Isak for $169 million from Newcastle United. Sadly, the Swede was sidelined with ankle and fibula injuries during a league match last December.
Now, Reds head coach Arne Slot has shed light on when the striker could return to action.
Arne Slot Offers Injury Update on New Liverpool Signing
Ahead of his team’s Premier League match at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Feb. 22, Slot was asked to provide insight into the 26-year-old star’s rehabilitation process.
“Alex has been on the pitch with his running shoes for the first time this week, so it will still be a while. It will be somewhere around the March international break… it depends on if he gets a setback. End of March, start of April, he could be back with the group, doesn’t mean he will be ready to start playing straight away,” the Dutchman responded.
Queried to opine on how Isak could contribute to Liverpool’s below-par season, Slot replied, “It will give us a different player to what we had now but we’re expecting a different player at the end of this season compared to what he has done up to now. Unfortunately, for him and us, we haven’t seen the best Alex. We will next season.”
Isak, a former Borussia Dortmund and Real Sociedad player, sustained his injury during an away league match against Tottenham Hotspur on Dec. 20. He has netted three goals and provided one assist in 16 games across all competitions for Liverpool so far this season.
The 56-cap Sweden international’s return could turn the tide for the Reds in the final seven weeks of the term. He has made a name for himself as a prolific goalscorer, having scored 27 goals in 42 overall appearances for Newcastle United last campaign.
MORE: After Failed Jurgen Klopp Inquiry, Manchester United Plan Reds Raid
On the other hand, Slot also provided the latest updates on summer arrival Jeremie Frimpong and midfielder Wataru Endo, including their respective comeback timelines, during his press conference.
“Jeremie will not be involved this weekend. We hope he will be involved next week (against West Ham United) if things go as planned,” Slot opined on Frimpong’s thigh issue.
On Endo’s recent ankle injury, the former Feyenoord manager added, “No, Wata will be out for a long time, as I said earlier. We don’t know exactly how long… but long.”
Liverpool are currently in sixth place with 42 points from 26 Premier League matches, three points behind fourth-placed Manchester United. They are also set to compete in the last 16 of both the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup later this season.
