Liverpool Manager Plans Cautious Alexander Isak Use Against Burnley

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has indicated that Alexander Isak, the club's record £125 million signing, will not start in their upcoming Premier League match against Burnley due to his lack of match fitness following a prolonged absence and limited playing time on international duty. Slot emphasized a gradual integration for Isak, who missed pre-season and several months of competitive football after a fallout with Newcastle United. Despite Isak's impressive past performances against Liverpool and his potential to become a key player, the manager plans to ease him into the squad, likely starting him on the bench while continuing with forwards Hugo Ekitike, Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo. The Reds face the challenge of managing their squad carefully with a busy fixture schedule ahead, including the Merseyside Derby and Champions League matches, making player rotation essential. This careful approach also extends to other positions, such as right-back, where Slot must decide between Dominik Szoboszlai, Conor Bradley, and Jeremie Frimpong. Fans should expect Isak to gradually earn minutes in the coming games before potentially making a full start later in the month.