Charlie Grace

Sun 14 September 2025 13:53, UK

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has dropped a major hint regarding Alexander Isak’s debut with the club after being left out of today’s squad against Burnley.

Isak joined Liverpool in a record breaking transfer worth £125 million, moving from Newcastle United.

Liverpool were linked with Isak throughout the window and Liverpool fans clamoured to witness their new signing in action at training this week.

Isak was omitted from Liverpool’s squad to face Burnley on Sunday afternoon, to the shock of many fans who were anticipating a debut for the Swede.

Arne Slot sets out Alexander Isak timeline

Isak was a doubt to feature from the off against Burnley, but after playing 18 minutes for Sweden in midweek some expected him to feature from the bench.

In his pre match interview with Sky Sports, Slot discussed Isak’s fitness timeline ahead of making his Liverpool debut, saying: “As everybody knew, he didn’t have any team training at Newcastle.

“Then he went to the national team and only played for 15 or 20 minutes and we think with a week where we play three games in seven days this is the best lead-up for him to be available against Atletico Madrid,” Slot continued.

When asked about how long it will take Isak to get up to full match fitness Slot said: “It’s always difficult for me to say full speed, but if you look at preseason after one or two weeks you play your first 45 to 60 minutes and you build that up gradually.

“But with that you do it with full training sessions during the week, now we hardly have any proper training sessions with the team in a week with three games in seven days.

“So he’d be in his second or third week of preseason so hopefully able to play 45 minutes or more in midweek.”

Alexander Isak increases squad competition at Liverpool

Isak is expected to come into Slot’s side as the main number nine, taking on the role that Hugo Ekitike currently occupies.

Ekitike, another summer signing, has started the season in red hot form, scoring two goals in his first three Premier League games since his transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Slot will have to make a tough call between starting Isak or Ekitike, with Cody Gakpo’s position at left wing also coming into contention.

Gakpo has also started the season in scintillating form, scoring two and grabbing and assist in Liverpool’s first three Premier League matches this season.

As all three players appear undroppable at this stage of the season, Slot will be given a nice selection issue, when it comes to naming his side’s starting 11 in the coming weeks.