Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is set to return to team training on Thursday.
The Sweden international has been out of action since suffering a left ankle injury, which included a fibula fracture against Tottenham Hotspur in December.
Isak, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in a British record £125million (now $166m) transfer last summer, suffered the injury as a result of a challenge from defender Micky Van der Ven while scoring the opening goal in the 2-1 victory.
The 25-year-old had endured a difficult start to his Liverpool career before then due to fitness and injury issues.
Isak’s return arrives as Liverpool head into the business end of the season. They play in FA Cup and Champions League quarter-finals against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain respectively, while also trying to secure Champions League qualification in the league.
“He’s going to train with the group again for the first time tomorrow,” head coach Arne Slot told Liverpoolfc.com on Wednesday.
“If you’ve worked so hard for three, four months or something like that and then to return to team training, that’s for everyone very nice. So Alex is, in that sense, in a good place.
“Of course, it’s only his first session, after three or four months (out), with the team but it’s good to have him back because we all know who we signed and we’ve signed an incredible striker.
“So to have him again in a team that’s usually generating quite a lot chances — and maybe not immediately from the first moment that he can start – but to have him back for the last two months is, I think, very helpful for us.”
Meanwhile, Slot is hoping that Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa will be available for Saturday’s trip to Manchester City. The former is “very close” after suffering a groin injury against Galatasaray before the international break. Chiesa was sent home from the Italy camp due to his fitness but has been training with Liverpool.
Jeremie Frimpong came off with an injury in the Netherlands draw with Ecuador and will be assessed but the hope is it is only precautionary. Goalkeeper Alisson, however, will not be available and “will be out for a bit longer”, Slot added.
Isak return could jumpstart Liverpool’s faltering attack
Liverpool have not had much positive injury news this season, but the imminent return of Isak is a huge plus.
Very little has gone to plan for Isak or Liverpool since he sealed his record-breaking switch in the summer. He had managed just three goals and one assist in 16 appearances, totalling 781 minutes in all competitions before his injury.
Slot has been short of attacking options since Isak’s injury and even though the striker will have to be managed carefully to build up his match fitness, the Dutchman will be hoping he can play a vital role in final two months of the campaign, even if it is largely through cameos off the bench.
Fellow No 9 Hugo Ekitike has had to play a lot of minutes up front in Isak’s absence and has struggled to be at his best for a full 90, especially during busier periods of the campaign. Being able to bring on a replacement like Isak is a huge upgrade.
Isak’s qualities remain undoubted and his return could be the type of spark Liverpool need to help achieve their ambitions this season by improving a faltering attack.