Ahead of facing PSG in the Champions League, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has offered the latest update on Alexander Isak, who has traveled with his teammates to Paris
Liverpool forward Alexander Isak during a training session.(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is primed to make his comeback from four months sidelined through injury against PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Arne Slot says his $169 million (£125 million) forward is fit enough to play a part at the Parc des Princes, though he will certainly not be available to start the match for the Reds.
“He’s finished close to a week of team sessions now, so he can play a part, otherwise I wouldn’t take him,” Slot said. “I decided not to take him to the Etihad because we thought, after we had talks with the player and the staff, that we couldn’t get a performance out of him.
READ MORE: Luis Enrique makes ‘impossible’ claim before Liverpool tie in Champions LeagueREAD MORE: Alan Shearer says what every Liverpool fan is thinking about Mohamed Salah – ‘Not nice’“Now, we think we can get a performance out of him… but not to start, let’s be clear.”
Slot was also asked about the tie in general, where he suggested there was no point in talking about who the favorite to progress is.
PSG has been in good form, and is the Champions League holder, but its head coach, Luis Enrique, said that Liverpool was just as likely to progress when he spoke to the media earlier.
“In general, it doesn’t matter who is the favorite because a lot can happen in two games,” Slot said. “Both have good players and showed last season, going toe to toe.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images)
“We deserved to lose 4-0 here last season, more than Saturday, and it was thanks to Alisson that we didn’t.
“At Anfield, we deserved to win. PSG kept the whole group together and didn’t buy anyone, did they? Our team will look different to the one that was there last season.”
Slot also spoke about the pressure on him at the moment and the need for Liverpool to finish the season strongly amid a fight to qualify for this competition again.
“I think if you play a quarter-final, it’s always a special moment,” Slot said. “You cannot take the Champions League for granted.
“PSG and Man City are comparable because of the style of play they have. It’s another chance to show we are not the team we were for the last 20 minutes (at the Etihad).”
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Now out of the FA Cup, Slot was asked about the prospect of winning the Champions League.
“I don’t think so far ahead, especially if you face PSG,” he admitted. “Champions of Europe; fully deserved. So impressive last season, maybe even more this season.
“They are still a very good team but details can decide a lot. Penalties made the difference last year and they went on to win it all.
“Usually a team needs to win on penalties in the Champions League or World Cup and go on. As much as I want to believe there no luck in penalties, sometimes maybe this has to do with luck.
“Donnarumma was great in that shootout. I am not looking so far ahead; this is the task tomorrow and then Saturday is Fulham, a big task.”
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