Arne Slot optimistic about Alexander Isak availability for Brentford clash

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed cautious optimism that striker Alexander Isak could feature in the crucial final-day Premier League clash against Brentford.

Isak sat out the 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa due to a minor injury issue, but Slot anticipates the forward will return to training this week as Liverpool battle for Champions League qualification.

“Yes, there will definitely be a chance. He missed pre-season as we all know and then he broke his leg. We’ve tried to be as careful as we could with him, taking into account that our other No.9 Hugo Ekitike is out for such a long time, so we needed him as a result of that even more,” Slot explained.

The Dutch coach acknowledged that Isak’s disrupted preparation has made him vulnerable to recurring fitness problems. “It’s just a bit of bad luck for him that in the moment of time when he comes back, Hugo gets injured and we need him more. I expect him to train with us this week, but I cannot give any guarantees,” he added.

Liverpool face Brentford on May 24 needing a positive result to secure their place in next season’s Champions League.