Isak now fit and can be judged in a fair way, concedes Slot

Striker 'close to the level he should be' after delayed pre-season

- By IAN DOYLE

Arne Slot believes Alexander Isak can now be judged fairly as a Liverpool player after declaring the striker’s delayed preseason is now finished.

Isak was forced to play catch-up in terms of fitness since arriving at Anfield at the start of last month in a British record £125million deal having been banished from the Newcastle United squad throughout the summer.

The 26-year-old came through two 90 minutes during the international break when featuring for Sweden in their World Cup qualifying losses at home to Switzerland and Kosovo.

And while Isak was not among the several Liverpool players to hit the target for their national teams over the past fortnight, Slot reckons the forward should now be up to speed as the Reds prepare to resume Premier League hostilities with the visit of bitter North West rivals Manchester United tomorrow afternoon.

“I think now he has had his five or six weeks of preseason which is normal for every player - especially if you have been out for three or four months,” said the Liverpool boss.

“Fitness-wise he is close to the level he should be and we can judge him in a fair way from now on.