Arne Slot to make agonising Alexander Isak call | OneFootball

Liverpool made Alexander Isak the most expensive player in British football history last summer.

Sporting director Richard Hughes paid Newcastle a sum of £125m for the Sweden international - signing a contract until 2031.

But Isak’s first season thus far at Anfield has been a disaster. The 26-year-old was unfit when he signed owing to a self-imposed exile which saw him miss pre-season as well as the first three games of the Premier League campaign.

It took him a long time to get up to speed - suffering an injury breakdown in a Champions League game against Eintracht Frankfurt. And then Isak was delivered a cruel injury blow just when he seemed to be hitting a decent patch of form.

A tackle by Micky van de Ven caused a broken leg on December 20 - just as Isak was in the process of scoring his second league goal of the season against Tottenham.

The new Liverpool No9 has not been seen in competitive action since then although it appears he has stepped up his recovery since the international window commenced.

According to various trusted LFC insiders Isak is now close to a return to full fitness and is expected to join his teammates for training this week.

Isak's welcome return

It could not come at a better time with the Premier League champions heading into the international break on the back of yet another defeat.

Hugo Ekitike limped out of the loss against Brighton although he was fit enough for France’s friendly against Brazil. The Frenchman has only netted once in his last seven Premier League outings and the Anfield side could really do with their record-breaking signing to be available.

This weekend Arne Slot’s side face a Manchester City side who beat Arsenal to the Carabao Cup trophy just prior to the international break. The game takes place in the FA Cup quarter-finals - with Liverpool needing to go as far as they can to help end the season on a high.

The league campaign is a washout but there is still a chance of success in the FA Cup and Champions League. And you would think in order to get any joy in those competitions that Isak is going to have to come to the fore.

Should Slot risk Isak v Man City?

The most likely outcome is the Sweden international starting on the bench this weekend with a start pencilled in for midweek against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Liverpool have been sorely lacking in striking options with Isak on the sidelines and it could be a big boost for Slot to turn to the bench and see him available.

There is a risk of him breaking down of course due to a lack of match fitness but sooner or later we are going to have to see a return on the £125m man.

Isak has a cup-tie winning goal on his record against Pep Guardiola’s Man City - for Newcastle in the third round of the EFL Cup back in 2023/24.

That was the only time he’s been on a team that’s actually won against City and a repeat this weekend - if he plays - would be a very timely return to form indeed.