Slot confirms two stars set for return with FA Cup tie against Manchester City approaching 

It doesn’t happen all the time, but sometimes the international break can come at the right time for a club. In Liverpool’s case, that seems to be the scenario that is playing out as they get a couple of their top dogs back for the final stretch of the season.

Isak still needs time before XI

After the Reds’ first full session with the squad, manager Arne Slot confirmed that their summer signing Alexander Isak is on the verge of a return after a long injury spell that has kept him out since before Christmas. Now the Swede is back to training normally, and will be reintegrated into the squad over the next few weeks.

Isak broke his leg in a match against Tottenham, and has been out for the last three months. “It will be too soon to expect Isak in the starting lineup after 101 days out,” said Slot. It will take a bit of time to give him a lot of minutes but we will make sure we do the right thing to build him up.”

The former Newcastle striker scored just two goals in 10 matches before his injury. One of those came in the match against Tottenham, and ended up being the game winner. Isak was one of the most sought after strikers of last summer after scoring 23 goals with Newcastle, but has yet to live up to his big bill.

Salah back for final stretch

Slot will also have Mohamed Salah back after the winger missed Liverpool’s last match against Brighton before the break and was not called for duty with Egypt. The Liverpool manager assured that the Egyptian is ready for the massive match against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.

In the lead up to the FA Cup quarterfinal match, Slot said of Salah, “Mo has always given everything he’s got for this club. I would hope he could give even more but that’s not realistic because he’s always done that and he will try and do that until the end of the season.” Salah has played in 22 of the 31 Liverpool matches in the league, missing most of those games to to the African Cup of Nations.

Last month Salah announced that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season, with the FA Cup and Champions League being the last chances at a title for the Liverpool legend. He has scored 181 goals in the Premier League, which is fourth in the history of the league, and 255 goals in all competitions with Liverpool, which puts his fourth in club history. Salah has won two Premier League’s, one Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, and one FA Cup with a chance to make it another, but Liverpool will have to get through Manchester City on Saturday to keep that dream alive.

It’s not all good news as Liverpool return from the international break. Keeper Alisson Becker has been ruled out for the season.

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