The Liverpool boss was asked about the Sweden forward ahead of Sunday's Merseyside derby, with Isak set to play a vital role in the final six games of the season
09:27, 17 Apr 2026Updated 09:39, 17 Apr 2026
Alexander Isak
Arne Slot was asked about Alexander Isak ahead of Sunday's Merseyside derby (Image: Getty Images)
Arne Slot has said Alexander Isak is still not ready to play 90 minutes ahead of Sunday's game against Everton.
The striker returned last week from a nearly four-month injury absence, and made his first start since December in the midweek defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Following Hugo Ekitike's season-ending injury, Isak is set to play a vital role in the final six matches of the campaign, and Slot said his decision to sign two strikers last summer has been fully vindicated.
"First of all, it is a good thing we have signed two no 9s because there were a lot of people debating why we signed two no.9s.
"We thought it might be a smart idea to not be the only club in the world that has only one no.9, but has two.
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"Now, all of a sudden, that looks maybe quite good. Maybe people are now questioning whether in the summer we should sign another no.9.
"Someone said to me the day after [PSG] you cannot write the script that on the day Alex is back after four months the other one leaves the pitch with a long-term injury but it is a good thing Alex is back now even more, although it wouldn’t be the first game I have to play without a particular type in a particular position.
"I have had many games this season where I didn’t have a right full back available, for example. It is nice to have Alex back but we also know he is not ready to play 90 yet."