Arne Slot has provided a further update on the rehab of Alexander Isak.
Arne Slot has provided a further update on the rehab of Alexander Isak. The Swede’s rehab has become one of the most closely watched stories of Liverpool’s season, and Arne Slot has been happy to offer a bit more detail on where things stand.
The Dutchman explained that the Swede has only just returned to the grass with his running shoes on, stressing that it “will still be a while” before anyone talks about him being match‑ready.
The next checkpoint, Slot suggested, is getting Isak back into full training around the end of March or early April, provided there are no setbacks when the intensity ramps up:
Speaking in his pre-Nottingham Forest press conference the Dutch manager said.
“Alex has been on the pitch with his running shoes for the first time this week so it will still be a while”
He then revealed that Isak will be back in full training towards the end of March/early April:
“It will be somewhere around the international break, depends on if he gets a setback. End of March, start of April when he’s back with the group. Doesn’t mean he’s ready to start playing straight away.”
“But it’s nice for him to go on the pitch and nice to see him there. You do know you’re in your final stages of rehab. Next step is of course doing work with the ball and then going into the group and it takes a while before you’re ready to play. It’s nice that rehab has gone well, compliment to him and our medical staff.”
“[A proper pre-season] will give us a different player to we had now but we’re expecting a different player at the end of this season compared to what he has done up to now.”
“Unfortunately for him and us we haven’t seen the best Alex. We will next season.”
“We all know the moment you go on to the pitch it doesn’t take three months anymore (to be back). But [in] these final stages it can change.”
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.