Alexander Isak will again join the Liverpool squad for the visit of Fulham, and speaking ahead of that game Arne Slot predicted a “faster” return to top form.
After a disrupted pre-season and a series of setbacks, it wasn’t until arguably his final appearance before breaking his leg that Isak was truly on form.
Then, in that same game, the Swede was subject of a shocking challenge from Tottenham‘s Micky van de Ven which saw him ruled out for three-and-a-half months.
Now having made his return off the bench against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, Isak is expected to continue his buildup of minutes with another substitute role when Liverpool host Fulham in the Premier League.
Join TIA YouTube
Subscribe to This Is Anfield on YouTube
Join over 370,000 subscribers to get the latest LFC videos to your feed
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Slot explained why he hopes his No. 9 can get up to speed “faster” than last time.
“That Alex is available for us again is vital, of course,” he told reporters at the AXA Training Centre.
“I said many times over here that it was hard for us to convert the chances into goals, and he’s been a goalscorer his whole life.
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak receives final instructions for head coach Arne Slot before coming on for his first appearance since January during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at the Parc des Princes. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Now, he did not get a chance against PSG, but in all the other games we’ve had many chances.
“To have him back is really nice. It was only 15 minutes but it was good to have him back and hopefully we can progress his minutes and he can grow to his form as soon as possible.
“The last time of course it took him a while, which is completely normal.
“But now we are hoping that, after the great rehab period he had with the people we have, we can bring him faster to the level we want him to be at.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 7, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak (C) and Curtis Jones (R) during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool Lineup
Share Your LFC Lineup!
Choose any lineup from current Liverpool squad, with custom formations and more
Isak is of course very unlikely to start against Fulham, with either Hugo Ekitike or Cody Gakpo poised to lead the line as Slot plans changes from the 2-0 loss at PSG.
However his continued availability will allow the head coach more flexibility throughout the game, with a similar cameo possible in the second half.
Afforded 12 minutes in Paris, it could be that he steps that up to closer to half an hour at Anfield, with Slot aware that there are likely only eight more games before the end of the season.
With Sweden qualified for the World Cup, Liverpool’s plans for a full pre-season for Isak have been complicated, which only magnifies the importance of nailing his return timeline in the coming weeks.