Liverpool manager Arne Slot rules Alexander Isak out of Sweden play-offs
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed Alexander Isak is likely to miss Sweden’s World Cup play-offs as he continues his recovery from a broken leg.
The £125m summer signing has been sidelined since sustaining the severe injury during a Premier League victory over Tottenham in December.
He is now expected to remain unavailable for upcoming club fixtures against Spurs, Galatasaray and Brighton.
The earliest the Swedish international could make his competitive return is an FA Cup quarter-final tie at Manchester City on 4 April.
Managing international expectations
Sweden are preparing to face Ukraine in a crucial play-off fixture under manager Graham Potter.
Victory would set up a decisive final against either Poland or Albania for a place at the tournament in the United States.
However, Slot has poured cold water on the prospect of his marquee forward participating in those high-stakes national fixtures.
“If you ask me now I would say I don’t expect that,” said Slot.
“But we are still one-and-a-half weeks off, there is always cooperation between club and country but I don’t expect him to play for us before that.”
Patience required for record signing
The highly-rated attacker has endured a frustrating debut campaign on Merseyside, registering just three goals prior to his prolonged absence.
His Dutch coach admitted he will have to “mess up the party” to protect the player’s long-term fitness.
The Liverpool boss noted that returning from three-and-a-half months without team training will demand a careful integration period.
“The last time he did that, it took him a while to get up to speed,” Slot explained.
He also cautioned supporters against expecting an immediate impact when the frontman finally returns to the pitch.
“I am really, really looking forward to having him back but don’t get the expectations again so high that the minute he is on the pitch, he is at the level of what we spent that money on.”
