Alexander Isak could possibly make his return for Liverpool in Sunday’s top match against Manchester City. In addition, coach Arne Slot is close to having goalkeeper Alisson back.
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Liverpool head into one of their most demanding fixtures of the season with renewed optimism, as Arne Slot finally begins to see his squad return to full strength.
The potential comeback of Alexander Isak has generated particular excitement among supporters, especially given the magnitude of Sunday’s clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The Swedish striker arrived on Deadline Day for a record fee from Newcastle United, a transfer that made headlines across Europe and raised expectations from the moment he walked through the door. Yet Slot has so far been unable to rely on him, largely due to a disrupted preseason and a setback that came after only eight appearances for Liverpool.
Isak missed a large portion of preseason training at Newcastle due to fitness issues, and once he began featuring for Liverpool, he still lacked rhythm. His injury only added to the frustration, both for the club and for the player who had hoped to make an immediate impact. Now, however, his situation is improving. According to Slot, the forward is close to rejoining full competition and may even be included in the matchday squad against City if he responds well to training over the weekend. Such a decision would not necessarily mean he is ready for heavy minutes, but his presence alone could offer Liverpool an extra attacking option at a crucial moment in the season.
During his press conference on Friday, Slot confirmed that Isak would train with the group again for the first time after a three week absence. The coach urged patience, reminding everyone that a return from rehabilitation is not comparable to full match fitness. As Slot noted, three weeks earlier he had stated that Isak’s preparation phase was complete and that the staff could finally begin evaluating him properly. That assessment has now changed. Although he is physically cleared to rejoin the squad, it will take additional time before Isak reaches the level demanded by the Premier League’s intensity.
Despite that caution, Slot admitted that Isak is ahead of the other players currently out. Jeremie Frimpong remains sidelined with the hamstring injury that forced him to miss the last three fixtures. His absence will continue through the international break, ruling him out of the Netherlands’ World Cup qualifiers in November. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Alisson is progressing well and is expected to make his official return in the match against Nottingham Forest after the break, which will come as a major relief given his leadership and shot stopping ability.
With the long term injured Giovanni Leoni as the only unavailable player after the break, Slot will soon have almost his entire squad at his disposal for the first time since arriving at the club. This represents a significant shift from recent weeks, when Liverpool struggled for consistency and the coach attempted to explain the team’s difficulties while insisting that squad depth was not the problem. Some English media outlets misinterpreted his comments, suggesting frustration with the club’s recruitment or balance of the squad, something Slot firmly denied. He reiterated again this week that he is fully satisfied with the options he has and that injuries, not a lack of quality, contributed to Liverpool’s inconsistent form.
Even so, the mood around Liverpool has lifted. Two consecutive victories, including a crucial win over Aston Villa in the league and a statement performance against Real Madrid in Europe, have restored confidence. The team appears to be finding its rhythm at the perfect time, just as the schedule intensifies. Manchester City, however, represent an entirely different level of challenge. Pep Guardiola’s side remain one of the strongest in Europe, combining tactical structure with individual brilliance in a way that few opponents can match.
Slot spoke openly about how much this fixture has meant to him over the years. While still coaching in the Netherlands, he frequently watched Liverpool against City, describing those matches as some of the most enjoyable and high level contests available in modern football. He praised Guardiola’s philosophy and pointed out that meetings between the two clubs typically avoid many of the negative aspects of the game, such as time wasting or unnecessary stoppages. For Slot, the tactical purity and intensity of City against Liverpool represent football at its best.
Sunday’s match will test Liverpool’s progress on multiple fronts. It will reveal how far the team has come under Slot, how well they can cope without some of their key players at full match sharpness, and whether the momentum from recent victories can translate into results against the defending champions. The potential inclusion of Isak, even if only as a substitute, adds intrigue. His presence could give Liverpool an extra dimension in attack, offering pace, physicality, and a natural finishing instinct that may become decisive in a match likely to be decided by small details.
As the countdown continues toward kick off, both clubs prepare for what promises to be one of the most significant encounters of the early season. Liverpool aim to confirm their resurgence, Manchester City look to maintain control at the top, and football fans everywhere anticipate a clash filled with quality, intensity, and storylines that extend far beyond three points.
