Liverpool boss Slot says Isak is in the final stages of recovery | OneFootball

Liverpool's coach, Arne Slot, said on Thursday that he believes forward Alexander Isak is in the "final stage of recovery" and could return by the end of next month to bolster the Reds' quest for a spot in the Champions League.

The most expensive signing in the English club's history has been sidelined since mid-December, when he fractured a bone in his lower leg and required ankle surgery following a tackle by Micky van de Ven from Tottenham.

His injury occurred just as Isak, 26 years old, who joined Liverpool, the English Championship champions, for £125 million (US$169 million) from rivals Newcastle in September, was finding his best form at Anfield, with two goals in six matches.

"Alex has been on the field, not with his boots, but with his running shoes for the first time this week," said Slot to reporters.

"The next step is to work with the ball, which is what every player loves most, then the next step is to join the group, and it takes some time before he's ready to play."

"I think it will be around the end of March, beginning of April, when he'll be back with the group. That doesn't mean he's ready to play, much less start a match."

"But it's good that the recovery is going well; that's a compliment to him and our medical team."

"I think we all know that once you step onto the field, it doesn't take three months, but these final stages of rehabilitation can also make a difference."

Isak is one of five players from Liverpool's main squad currently sidelined, with only Jeremie Frimpong close to returning.

The right-back has been out since the end of last month with a thigh injury but is expected to be available for next weekend's match against West Ham.

‘Useful Rest’

Liverpool had a rare week without games before Sunday's trip to Nottingham Forest.

"It's good and useful, as nine out of ten players we have are called up for the national team, so for seven, eight, nine months, they practically have no break," said Dutch coach Slot, who insisted he didn't need a rest.

"It was good, but I really didn't need it." Last season, I felt I needed it more during this period. I'm enjoying the work I do here."

Liverpool, after a slow start in defending the title, now holds the sixth position and is just three points from the top four, with 12 games remaining.

The next challenge will be against three of the bottom four teams, in pursuit of a Champions League spot.

The Premier League leader, Arsenal, was only five points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, after squandering a two-goal lead in a surprising 2-2 draw against bottom-placed Wolves on Wednesday.

Slot, however, stated: "We didn't need yesterday's game to know how difficult it is to win a Premier League match. What has made the Premier League better this season than three, four, five, or six years ago is that it is more competitive."

*with content from AFP

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.