Liverpool manager Arne Slot has indicated that striker Alexander Isak is approaching the decisive phase of his recovery, with a potential return to group training pencilled in for late March or early April.
Isak has been sidelined since mid-December after suffering a fractured bone in his lower leg, an injury that required ankle surgery following a sliding challenge from Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven. The setback interrupted what had begun to look like a promising adaptation period for the 26-year-old Sweden international at Anfield.
Signed for a British-record £125 million from Newcastle in September, Isak had begun to find rhythm within Slot’s attacking framework, registering two goals in six appearances before the injury halted his momentum.
Slot offered a measured update on Thursday, outlining the structured progression typical of elite-level rehabilitation. “Alex has been on the pitch, not with his football boots but with his running shoes for the first time this week,” he explained. The next steps involve ball work, reintegration into full group sessions and, only thereafter, match readiness — a sequence that underscores the distinction between fitness and competitive sharpness.
While a return to training may occur by the end of next month, Slot was clear that availability does not equate to immediate selection. The final phase of rehab is often the most delicate, where intensity increases and setbacks are most likely. Encouragingly, he praised both the player’s commitment and the club’s medical staff for the smooth progression thus far.
Isak is one of five senior players currently unavailable, though Jeremie Frimpong appears closest to rejoining the squad. The right-back has been recovering from a hamstring injury sustained late last month and is expected to be available for next weekend’s visit from West Ham.
Liverpool’s schedule has offered a rare reprieve this week, with no midweek fixture ahead of Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest. Slot described the pause as beneficial, particularly given the heavy international workload carried by the majority of his squad. The Dutchman, however, insisted he personally felt no need for rest, emphasising his engagement with the demands of the role.
From a competitive standpoint, timing is critical. Liverpool sit sixth in the Premier League, within three points of the top four with 12 matches remaining. A sequence of fixtures against three of the bottom four clubs offers a tangible opportunity to consolidate a Champions League push.
Elsewhere, Arsenal’s recent stumble — surrendering a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw at Wolves — has tightened the title race at the summit. Slot, however, framed that result not as a surprise but as evidence of the league’s increasing parity. In his assessment, the Premier League’s enhanced competitiveness has elevated both its unpredictability and its challenge.
For Liverpool, the equation is straightforward: maximise points in the short term and reintegrate key players at the right moment. If Isak returns on schedule and rediscovers his early-season trajectory, his presence could prove decisive in shaping the club’s European ambitions.
