Alexander Isak is set for a Liverpool debut at Burnley on Sunday afternoon - but how long should the striker be given?
Paul Gorst is the Liverpool ECHO's Liverpool FC correspondent and brings readers the inside track on all matters Anfield day in, day out. Now into his seventh season in the role, Paul follows the Reds home and away, wherever they play - including pre season. He brings you all the latest Liverpool news first each day, plus exclusive interviews and insightful, independent analysis. A journalist with over a decade's worth of experience, he has worked at the ECHO since 2016.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Alexander Isak signs for Liverpool FC at AXA Training Centre on September 01, 2025 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool completed the signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United on deadline day and he could make his debut at Burnley on Sunday
(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The long wait is almost over. A full two months since it was first confirmed Liverpool were very much interested in signing Alexander Isak, the £125million arrival from Newcastle United is now ready to pull on a red shirt for the first time.
Well, a green one to be more precise, with Arne Slot's side donning their new third kit for the short trip to promoted Burnley on Sunday afternoon.
Having not featured at all for Newcastle since the end of last season, Isak was given his first minutes as a late substitute in Sweden's 2-0 World Cup qualifying loss in Kosovo on Monday night. But how long should the striker be given at the weekend?
The ECHO's Liverpool writers ponder a delicate situation...
Paul Gorst
Having played less than 20 minutes since May, it's fair to say it might take some time for Alexander Isak to get up to the sort of speed that has made him a British record transfer at £125m.
Sweden international Isak was a second-half substitute on Monday as Kosovo won 2-0 in their World Cup qualifier and that decision was taken after consultation between the national team's medical department and their counterparts at Liverpool, with Arne Slot also in dialogue with manager Jon Dahl Tomasson.
But as the Reds get set to do battle in three competitions in September in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup, before another international break in October, how much time should Isak realistically be afforded?
Fortunately, the former Newcastle United man is not entering a side who have struggled for goals or creativity in their opening three games so far.
The Premier League champions have scored eight in fixtures with Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal, with Hugo Ekitike in particular assuming the striking mantle with aplomb.
It means Isak doesn't need to be thrust into the action prematurely but with Atletico Madrid and Everton to visit Anfield next week, might this Sunday's trip to Burnley represent the most straightforward of the three games in six days?
Anywhere between 20 and 30 minutes might be ideal for the 25-year-old at Turf Moor as Slot and his staff go about getting some match fitness into the legs of the £125m striker.
The sooner they achieve that, the quicker he will begin to repay the fee, so while the lack of action over the last four months would suggest it is wise to display caution, this weekend is the best opportunity for Isak to get some meaningful game time in what is a busy upcoming week.
Ian Doyle
Liverpool supporters have had to wait a long time for the dream signing of Alexander Isak to become reality. So they won't mind hanging on just a little bit longer to see the striker in action for his new club.
While there are no concerns over injury for Isak, his match sharpness will understandably be nowhere near usual levels having played for barely 20 minutes since the end of last season.
The Sweden international has kept himself ticking over throughout the summer by training to an individual programme. But it's one thing to be generally in top shape - quite another to have the fitness required to withstand the rigours of a Premier League campaign.
Fortunately, the fact Hugo Ekitike has hit the ground running at Anfield since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt has significantly eased both the pressure on the Frenchman but also the clamour to throw Isak straight in.
That would be foolish. And a glimpse at the fixture schedule suggests it might not be until the League Cup visit of Southampton in a fortnight that Isak makes a first start. It would be a brave move to give the player a full debut against either Atletico Madrid or Everton.
The 25-year-old, then, can be restricted to bench duty for now. And if he's given just 15 minutes on Sunday, that should be sufficient to keep building up his sharpness. Any longer than that at Turf Moor and it may be a sign Liverpool have got themselves into a spot of bother.