Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has returned from a 101-day injury layoff stronger and fitter, according to head coach Arne Slot. The Swede, signed for a British record £125m fee from Newcastle on September 1, suffered his leg break at Tottenham in December. Slot confirmed Isak won't start Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester City but could feature on the bench. 'It will definitely be too fast to expect him in the starting line-up,' Slot stated.

The timing is crucial as Liverpool faces a packed end-of-season schedule across three competitions that could decide Slot's future at Anfield. While Isak's return is a positive step, Slot emphasized it would take significant time to build up his match fitness, especially with the intense demands of the Premier League and Champions League final stages. The manager expressed particular satisfaction at having a fit striker available behind Hugo Ekitike, acknowledging Isak's pre-injury form was far superior to his two Premier League goals this season. 'Compared to where he was before he got injured, I see a player that's much stronger, physically in a much better place,' Slot added.