Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Friday described new signing Alexander Isak as “maybe the best striker in the world” but said he would be eased in gradually after missing much of pre-season.
The Premier League champions sealed the £125 million ($169m) British record signing of the Sweden forward from Newcastle on transfer deadline day, part of a £400 million summer outlay. A late move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi collapsed.
Slot praised Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson for carefully managing Isak’s minutes during the international break, stressing Liverpool would adopt the same cautious approach.
The 25-year-old, who has not played club football this season, will be built up slowly and not feature for 90 minutes in every match in the coming weeks.
Slot also brushed off criticism of Isak’s Newcastle exit, insisting he was delighted to have secured him, and confirmed Liverpool came close to signing Guehi before talks fell through.