Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is set to handle Alexander Isak’s return with care as Liverpool prepare for an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, while Mohamed Salah is available again and expected to feature in a key phase of Liverpool’s season.

Isak joins full training again after a long absence, having fractured an ankle and fibula while scoring against Tottenham in December. The 26-year-old moved from Newcastle United for a record fee, yet has registered only three goals in 16 Liverpool appearances, with form and fitness both affected.

Slot confirmed that Isak is not ready to start against Manchester City after only two sessions back with the squad following exactly 101 days out. Slot said: “It will definitely be too fast to expect him in the starting line-up”. “He has trained with us yesterday for the first time and today will be the second time after exactly 101 days.”

Slot stressed that Liverpool must build Isak’s minutes in a controlled way during the closing weeks. Slot added: “It will take a bit of time to give him a lot of minutes but we will make sure we do the right thing in terms of building him up. It is a very good thing to have him on the training ground again. It would be an even better thing to have him in games, that’s for sure.”

The Manchester City tie adds complexity because it is a knockout match that can extend beyond 90 minutes. Slot explained: “It is a difficult one because we don’t play a normal game. What I mean is it could go to extra time so that makes it even more complicated if we bring him in and we think he can only play 10 minutes and bring him on and then it goes to extra time. Of course we can take him off again if we have enough players available. Maybe a few minutes but let’s wait and see how he is today, how he feels about it himself. It’s clear after two training sessions in 100 days, it would not make any sense to start him.”

Despite the lengthy absence, Slot feels the enforced break may have helped Isak’s conditioning, even if the intensity of the run-in presents a challenge. Slot said: “If I look at him now compared to where he was before he got injured I see a player that is much stronger, physically in a much better place but going from 100 days off to the intensity of thePremier Leaguein the end phase of the season and the end phase of the Champions League where usually the opposition you face is even harder, what’s realistic to expect? That’s difficult. I am really happy that I have at least a No. 9 again available behind Hugo [Ekitike] or together with Hugo so that is already a positive thing and what to expect, I think I’ve said many times that next season when he’s had a preseason, we can expect more from him than now but even the way he is now is already a big step forward for us compared to what he had when he arrived.”

Isak therefore gives Liverpool another option at centre-forward, easing the load on Hugo Ekitike for domestic and European fixtures. Slot’s comments show Liverpool are likely to use Isak off the bench initially, especially in the FA Cup, before considering greater involvement once match sharpness improves.

Mohamed Salah impact on Liverpool FA Cup campaign

While Isak is eased back, Salah arrives at the tie in strong scoring form in the competition. Salah has found the net in each of the last three FA Cup appearances for Liverpool, including a quarter-final strike against Manchester United during the 2023-24 campaign, matching a scoring run not seen at the club for over two decades.

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The last Liverpool player to score in four straight FA Cup games was Emile Heskey in 2000-01, a sequence that also featured a goal against Manchester City in the fifth round. Salah now has a chance to equal that club record if Salah scores again in the meeting with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Salah recently confirmed that Salah will leave Liverpool at the end of the current season, but Slot stated that the forward has recovered from a minor injury and is fit to play against Manchester City. Reflecting on Salah’s status at the club, Slot said: “What has happened since his announcement is what he completely deserved. His team-mates when asked about his legacy said what needed to be said, Slot said of Salah. He has been unbelievable for this club for so many years. Scoring so many goals, winning so many trophies. I saw a beautiful photo of him in front of all the trophies he’s won individually and as a team. I can only hope that he can add two extra trophies to it before the end of this season.”

Liverpool therefore approach the FA Cup quarter-final with Salah available to continue a strong scoring sequence in the competition and Isak gradually returning as cover in attack. Slot’s careful approach underlines Liverpool’s focus on managing fitness as Liverpool chase trophies in the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups.