Liverpool: Arne Slot reveals if Alexander Isak will start PSG Champions League clash | OneFootball

Reds handed a major boost ahead of difficult Champions League quarter-final

Arne Slot has confirmed Alexander Isak will not start for Liverpool against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.

Liverpool are in Paris for the first leg of their quarter-final showdown and have been boosted by the return of Isak, with the striker being named in a 21-man travelling squad.

Isak has not featured for the Reds since December 20 when he suffered an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture during the 2-1 win at Tottenham.

After undergoing surgery that kept him on the sidelines for three-and-a-half months, the Swede resumed team training last Thursday ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City.

However, Isak did not travel to the Etihad Stadium as the Reds were beaten 4-0.

That said, Isak was seen training during Liverpool’s open session on Tuesday and has travelled to the French capital alongside the likes of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference, Slot has all-but confirmed Isak will play some part at the Parc des Princes.

"He finished close to a week of team training sessions, he can play a part otherwise I wouldn't take him,” the Liverpool manager told reporters.

"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."

Alexander Isak during a Liverpool training session ahead of the PSG clash

AFP via Getty Images

Liverpool, though, will be without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker - who performed miracles in the last-16 first leg a year ago - through injury.

“We prepare for the game, if the game goes as I hope it goes, we won't need our goalkeeper,” Slot added.

“But I think PSG have scored in all their home games apart from one.

"When you play against a team as good offensively as PSG, you need a good goalkeeper. At the Etihad the first 20 minutes I didn't think we needed a goalkeeper, then after that I was hoping he would save a few.”