Liverpool drop Alexander Isak debut hint as Arne Slot gets mixed injury news

Alexander Isak was among the Liverpool players training on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid

Alexander Isak was spotted among the Liverpool players training on Tuesday, gearing up for their Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. However, it seems the Reds will have to do without Curtis Jones once again when they host the Spanish side on Wednesday evening.

Isak was rested for Liverpool’s 1-0 Premier League triumph at Burnley on Sunday, focusing instead on his fitness after missing a proper pre-season at Newcastle United prior to his record-breaking £125million transfer to Anfield earlier this month.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot hinted post-match that the Swedish international is poised to make his Liverpool debut against Atletico, a prospect that seemed more likely following his participation in the training session at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby.

Jones, however, was noticeably absent once again, having missed the Burnley match due to an injury sustained in the victory over Arsenal last month.

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On a brighter note, Alexis Mac Allister was seen taking part in the session, despite being forced off at half-time at Turf Moor with an ankle problem, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Young talents Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and Jayden Danns were also spotted in training, with Federico Chiesa participating despite not being included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad for the league stage.

Asked after the Burnley game about Isak’s absence, Slot said: “He was doing recovery, he had a hard and tough session yesterday.

“We got him from Newcastle in a state where his pre-season is going to start now. He needs proper minutes of training as a base.

“Alex is far from ready for a schedule for three games in a week for 90 minutes, we could use him today for five or 10 minutes and again on Wednesday, but we don’t believe that’s the way to build him up.

“Now we will be able either Wednesday or Saturday to play 45 as a minimum or maybe a bit more. But if he plays 45 on Wednesday don’t expect him to play 45 or more on Saturday because his body is not prepared for that in our opinion.”

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