Liverpool’s new head coach, Arne Slot, has cautioned fans against high expectations for record-signing Alexander Isak, stating the striker needs to be “built up gradually.” Having missed a proper pre-season, Isak’s minutes will be carefully managed as he adapts to life at Anfield.
September 12, 2025: Liverpool manager Arne Slot has urged fans to temper their expectations for Premier League record signing Alexander Isak, who will be gradually introduced to the squad in the coming weeks. The Swedish international completed a monumental £125 million transfer from Newcastle United on transfer deadline day, ending a long-running summer transfer saga.
Speaking to reporters on Friday ahead of Liverpool’s match against Burnley, Slot emphasized that the 25-year-old striker is not at full match fitness after missing a “proper pre-season” and “three or four months of team sessions.”
“Don’t expect him to be every single game 90 minutes on the pitch,” Slot stated. “That’s definitely not going to happen in the upcoming weeks.” He praised Sweden’s coach, Jon Dahl Tomasson, for a cautious approach with Isak during the international break, where the striker only played 18 minutes in a match against Kosovo.
“We will treat Alex the same as they did,” Slot said, asking fans to remember that the club “signed him for six years,” not just the next two weeks. He explained that any decision to substitute Isak or bring him on for a limited time will be for the player’s long-term fitness.
Liverpool, who currently sit at the top of the Premier League table with a perfect nine points from three matches, will travel to Turf Moor for their match against Burnley on Sunday. The Reds’ impressive start to the season has been led by a potent attack, but Slot is not taking any chances with his new star recruit.
Slot also briefly commented on Liverpool’s failed attempt to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi on deadline day, acknowledging that the club would have liked to have signed him, but that they already have strong options in that position.