Isak, who is yet to reach full fitness, has been left out of the Reds’ squad to face Burnley as Slot named an unchanged starting lineup at Turf Moor. Isak went on strike and was banished from Newcastle’s first-team training in pre-season. As a result, the Sweden international did not get to train properly and is yet to gain full match fitness.
Explaining his decision to keep Isak out of the team, Slot told Sky Sports “As everyone knew, he didn’t have any team training at Newcastle, then went to the national team and only played 15 or 20 minutes. We think, with a week where we play three games in seven days, this is the best lead-up for him to be available against Atletico Madrid.”
Jeremie Frimpong, who picked up an injury during the Reds’ season opener against Bournemouth, missed the club’s next two Premier League games against Newcastle and Arsenal, but has now returned to the matchday squad and will start from the bench against Burnley. In the Dutch full-back’s absence, Dominik Szoboszlai has been playing as a make-shift right-back.
In Isak’s absence, the English champions will continue to depend on French forward Hugo Ekitike for goals, who has already equalled Daniel Sturridge’s 12-year-long goalscoring record by scoring in his first three matches for the Reds.
Isak’s debut would depend on the progress he makes in training and it remains to be seen if Slot finally hands him his debut in their Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
