Arne Slot has not ruled Alexander Isak out from starting against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, with the new Liverpool striker primed for his debut.
Isak will be in the squad for Liverpool’s Champions League opener and could even be in contention to replace Hugo Ekitike up front.
After sitting out the 1-0 win over Burnley at the weekend, instead focusing on training, the new No. 9 is ready for at least 45 minutes.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Slot confirmed that Isak will be involved against Atletico and hinted that he could start.
“There’s definitely a chance, because he’s in the squad,” he said when asked the chances of Isak featuring.
“Then there’s a chance to play.
“Normally I would say 99.9 percent sure, but I can say it’s 100 percent sure that he will not play 90 minutes, but he’s part of the squad.
“It’s already a Champions League game to look forward to, but if people look forward to his playing time, that could happen tomorrow as well.”
Asked if Isak could start, Slot replied: “The only thing that is sure is that he will not play 90. All the rest, you will see tomorrow.”
Clearly, having not started a game since the end of last season and not trained as part of a team over the summer, there is a long road ahead for Isak in terms of full fitness.
Slot considers his £125 million signing as being in the midst of a pre-season of sorts, with his game time being carefully managed in line with his teammates and their summer friendlies.
Questioned on Isak’s biggest challenge to come, the head coach replied: “Getting fit after missing four months of proper team sessions.
“He doesn’t have to prove to anyone that he’s good enough to play in the Premier League, because that’s what he’s proven already at Newcastle.
“The main challenge he has is to become so fit that he’s first of all ready to do what he did last season.
“And then speaking about Paris Saint-Germain [last season], I don’t think anyone was surprised that I was mainly impressed by the way they press.
“Ousmane Dembele was one of the examples, he was so outstanding in his pressing game.
“So everybody is focused on Paris Saint-Germain, about all the goals they score, but I was mainly impressed by the way they pressed.
“The moment he’s fit, match fit, and can play 90, the next step is playing three times in a week 90 minutes, and then the next step is going one step further in terms of pressing.
“That’s what he has to do, and scoring goals, doing special things in attack, that is something he will 100 percent sure do.”