Alexander Isak of Liverpool looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on November 01, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)placeholder image
Alexander Isak of Liverpool looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on November 01, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has backtracked on his previous comments about Alexander Isak.
Isak joined the Reds on September 1 for a British record £130million after forcing his exit from Newcastle United.
The Swede is now a despised figure among Newcastle fans, who have taken pleasure in his early struggles at Anfield. Scoring just once in his opening eight appearances, the striker has missed the last four matches with a groin issue.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot makes Alexander Isak U-turn
The 26-year-old is in line to return this weekend, and manager Arne Slot has called for people to “give him some time” before judging his performance.
That is despite Slot saying three weeks ago that Isak could be ‘judged fairly from now’.
The Dutchman said: "Isak will train with the team again after three weeks out. I know that I said three weeks ago that his pre-season has ended so now it's time for us to see where he is.
"But I have to come back to those words, because if you are three weeks only with the rehab, that doesn't bring you back to the levels he was three weeks ago.
"Even though our rehab has done an incredible job, you cannot compare rehab with games of football or training sessions with the team. As much as we try to replicate it, that's simply not possible. So, again I have to say, give him some time."
Arne Slot calls Newcastle United a ‘smaller club’ - Eddie Howe responds
Recent comments from Slot have miffed many on Tyneside.
Last month, Slot referred to Newcastle as a “smaller club” and suggested their summer treatment of Isak during his self-imposed strike led to him being unconditioned when he arrived at Anfield.
Slot said: “I don’t think there’s a rule that every single player has the same. But it also depends on what he did when he didn’t train with the team, what the impact is if you go to a new club as a big signing.
"So you cannot compare, maybe a player who hasn’t trained or played in pre-season at a smaller club than if you go to Liverpool. There are many factors that you have to take into account and there is not one thing if it’s possible or not."
Slot’s comments were put to Eddie Howe but the Newcastle boss chose not to engage in a war of words.
Howe replied: “I don’t think that’s wise for me to get involved in those discussions. Alex is no longer at this football club so I won’t comment on that.
“I think the setup here is very good. It’s not perfect, we have things to improve and grow, but the owners here have developed the facilities here very well since I’ve been here. There’s building work going on to hopefully make us even better in the future.”
Continue Reading