Liverpool manager Arne Slot has hailed new signing Alexander Isak as “maybe the best striker in the world” but says the Swedish forward will be eased into action following an interrupted pre-season.
Isak joined the Premier League champions from Newcastle United on transfer deadline day in a British-record £125 million ($169 million) deal, completing a summer in which Liverpool spent over £400 million on new players. However, a last-minute move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi fell through.
Speaking on Friday, Slot expressed relief at sealing Isak’s transfer. “The thing that pleases me most is us getting the deal for Alex over the line,” the Dutch coach said.
The 25-year-old has not featured at club level this season after missing several months of training. He made only brief appearances for Sweden during the international break, with manager Jon Dahl Tomasson limiting his minutes to avoid injury.
“He gets one of the best, maybe the best striker in the world, but understood that if he played him twice for 90 minutes, then probably the player would have been injured,” Slot said, praising Tomasson’s caution. “We will treat Alex the same. Don’t expect him to play 90 minutes every single game in the coming weeks.”
Isak faced criticism from some Newcastle fans for pushing to leave despite having three years left on his contract. Slot dismissed the backlash as part of football. “Sometimes people cheer for you, sometimes you get criticised. That’s part of our jobs. Now he’s a player for us and I’m really happy with that,” he said.
Liverpool, unbeaten after three league matches, had also targeted Guehi, but Slot confirmed the deal collapsed late in negotiations. “It would be ridiculous to deny we were close,” he admitted. “These things happen in football. Players think they’re close to moving and then at the last moment things change.”
Despite the setback, Slot insisted he was satisfied with his defensive options as Liverpool chase a record-extending 21st English league title. “It’s a pity, not only for us but also for the player,” he said of Guehi. “But he’s in a good place at Palace with a very good manager. Let’s see what the future brings.”
