Liverpool injury update as Arne Slot explains plan for Alexander Isak ahead of PSG test
Arne Slot has revealed that Alexander Isak will not be in the starting line-up for Liverpool's clash against Paris Saint-Germain, though he could still make an appearance at the Parc des Princes. Isak has made the journey with the Reds to France after being named in a Liverpool squad for the first time since suffering a fractured leg back in December.
The Swedish international returned to first-team training last week but was omitted from the squad for the FA Cup thrashing at the hands of Manchester City on Saturday. However, the striker is now poised to make his comeback for the first time since breaking a bone in his leg when challenged by Micky van de Ven during his side's victory over Tottenham Hotspur just before Christmas.
"He finished close to a week of team training sessions, he can play a part, otherwise I wouldn't take him," Slot confirmed at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday night.
"I didn't take him to the Etihad because we felt he wasn't able to get a performance yet. We think we can get a performance out of him now, but not to start."
The Reds touch down in Paris under considerable scrutiny following Saturday's drubbing at the Etihad Stadium, which came hot on the heels of another defeat at Brighton before the international break.
Speaking in the aftermath of the weekend's result, skipper Virgil van Dijk made the frank admission that his side downed tools against City and issued an apology to fans for the team's display.
Quizzed on the centre-back's comments, Slot said: "Sometimes in a game of football you want to do things in a certain way but are not about to for various reasons.
"But one of them can definitely be conceding goals when you think you are playing well and are in the game. Usually in football, moments that hurt you most are just before half-time and just after.
"Immediately after half-time we went 3-0 down. Then I saw five minutes where we were too open and players were struggling.
"The good thing was after 4-0 that City seemed to be happy with that and we had constant ball possession so they weren't able to create many more chances.
"I didn't see players giving up but it is good for a captain to have a strong and firm reaction after a game like that. Hopefully it is not only immediately after the game and that, as a team we can show a strong and firm reaction tomorrow evening."
Luis Enrique's side are overwhelming favourites to progress in the tie, yet Slot isn't worried about what the bookies are saying.
"I don't think it matters if there is a favourite," he said. "It's only about two games, a lot can happen in two games.
"Both teams have very good players, and last season showed they could go toe to toe.
"Last season I think we deserved to lose here 4-0, but that game was only thanks to Alisson that we didn't lose 4-0. At Anfield I think we deserved to win that game.
"The difference between these two teams is that PSG kept the group together. I think our team will look different to the team that was here last season."
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