- Swedish international Isak suffered a broken leg in December
- The striker joined Liverpool from Newcastle for a British record fee of £125 million
- Reds manager Arne Slot says Isak may return against City on Saturday
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has indicated star striker Alexander Isak could return in Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final clash against Manchester City.
Man City host Liverpool at the Etihad in a 12:45pm kick-off, looking to make it three wins from three against Slot’s side this season.
Pep Guardiola will be absent from the touchline as he serves the second match of his two-game suspension for receiving six yellow cards this season.
And in worse news for City, Isak may be ready to make his long-awaited return to the pitch.
Arne Slot says Alexander Isak may return against Manchester City
Speaking on Friday ahead of the weekend’s FA Cup clash, Slot indicated that Isak may be in the squad travelling to the Etihad, but is not expected to start.
Slot said: “Is he ready to play some minutes? That’s the question. It’s a difficult one.
“It is not a normal one, if he can only play 10 minutes and it goes to extra time… Maybe a few minutes. Let’s wait and see how it is today. It would not make any sense to start him.”
The Dutchman continued: “I see a player that is physically in a much better place, but going from 100 days off to the intensity of the Premier League is difficult.
“I am really happy I have a number nine available again behind or playing with Hugo Ekitike. That’s already a positive thing.
“Next season after a proper pre-season, we could expect more from him, maybe than now. But even the way he is now is a big step forward for us.”
Mohamed Salah expected to be fit for Manchester City clash
As well as a potential return for Isak, Liverpool have been boosted by some positive news surrounding Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian is expected to be fit for the weekend, having shaken off a recent muscle problem.
Liverpool confirmed last month that Salah would leave the club at the end of the season. The 33-year-old joined from AS Roma in 2017, and has scored 255 goals in 435 games for the Reds.
