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Arne Slot explains Alexander Isak plan with Liverpool 'transition' to continue this summer
22:35, 01 May 2026
Alexander Isak during a Liverpool training session.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Arne Slot says Liverpool will need to get more out of its $169 million (£125 million) striker Alexander Isak next season in order to cope with the loss of Mohamed Salah, who is leaving after nine years.
The deal that saw Isak arrive at Liverpool from Newcastle on September 1 was a British record fee, but a lack of match sharpness and then a broken leg have meant that the Swede is yet to get going in a Reds jersey.
Remarkably, it was only last weekend that he scored his first Premier League goal at Anfield, netting the opener in a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace that edged Liverpool closer to confirming a Champions League spot.
READ MORE: 4 things spotted in Liverpool training before Man Utd after Alisson update and injury boostREAD MORE: Jurgen Klopp won't join Real Madrid - but there is one job that could see him return to coaching"[Getting the most from Isak] is definitely part of thinking about the [Salah] replacement," Slot said. "Because since I have been here — and it is the same at a lot of clubs — it is mainly a left footer on the right and a right footer on the left.
"I have seen Alex scoring also a lot from crosses which were played from the right, right footed — Trent Alexander-Arnold crosses, if you want to call them like that.
"So that is definitely part of how we are looking at things, but we try to sign the best possible available player who we can afford.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a training session.(Image: Nikki Dyer - Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"Something else which also happens at certain clubs is: ‘OK, that is the best player in the world in that position, let’s try and get him.’
"That is not how we work. We try and sign the best possible player who is available for us."
Salah is not the only player who will leave Liverpool this summer. Andy Robertson is set to depart as well, with Slot's roster set to be light of two huge members of the squad in terms of leadership and experience.
"I think the transition hasn't been completed yet," Slot added. "And by that I mean this cycle, the players that won the Champions League and Premier League with Jurgen [Klopp].
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Article continues below"I think if you look now, it might only be Virgil [van Dijk] and Joe [Gomez] contracted to the club. So, yeah, again this summer, as a minimum of two will leave, so you can say you are at the end of a transition, there's still a transition to be done.
"We know Hugo [Ekitike] will be out for a long, long time. We haven't used Alex [Isak] this season hardly, so there is a lot to win and improve with this group of players we have now and next season.
"We all know the longer a team plays together, the better they get. That makes complete sense, and this summer will see a few changes again because Robbo and Mo are already leaving the club."
Trent Alexander-Arnold makes bold Mohamed Salah statement before Liverpool exit
21:10, 01 May 2026
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid.(Image: Jose Luis Contreras/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold says Mohamed Salah has matched Steven Gerrard at Liverpool ahead of the Egyptian departing this summer after nine years at the club.
Now at Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold won every major trophy in the club game alongside Salah when they were at Anfield together, and he had some kind words for the 33-year-old forward ahead of this weekend's trip to Manchester United.
"For me, I have always said Stevie is the number one, but I would put them both in the number one spot now, for sure," Alexander-Arnold said in a video message for Sky Sports.
READ MORE: Mohamed Salah reveals Liverpool injury return plan and selfless hope for surprise extra send-offREAD MORE: Jurgen Klopp won't join Real Madrid - but there is one job that could see him return to coachingSpeaking on the same video, Andy Robertson, who is also leaving Liverpool this summer, added: "He came in for not a massive transfer fee from Roma and nobody expected him to do what he did. But there was one person who did, and that was himself."
Salah will miss out on playing at Old Trafford for a final time because of a hamstring injury. But he says he will be back in time to face Brentford in the last game of the season in the absolute worst-case scenario.
Alexander-Arnold was among a number of people, including Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland and Declan Rice, to send a message of congratulations to Salah ahead of his summer departure.
Content cannot be displayed without consentJurgen Klopp also sent a heartfelt message to the player that he brought to the club in 2017. Salah has gone on to score 257 goals for Liverpool and he will hope to further add to that tally this month.
"Wow. Time flies. You leave with a smile on your face, and you leave loved by so many people," Klopp said.
"The best thing you can do is to work hard and put everything in, so that when we meet in the future — in five, 10, 15, 20 years — we look back and share the best memories of our lives."
Salah's old skipper, Jordan Henderson, was also a part of the video. The pair won everything together before he left to sign for Al Ettifaq in 2023.
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"As time went on, his confidence grew," Henderson explained. "Then what that does is create a culture where everyone starts to step up."
Salah said in a TNT Sports interview with Steven Gerrard — the manager who signed Henderson from Liverpool — that he wants Reds fans to give Henderson a belated send-off.
Henderson left unexpectedly and was therefore not afforded the celebration of his Liverpool tenure before his exit. However, he is now at Brentford, who the Reds play in their final match of the campaign.
Article continues below"You know how passionate he is and how much he loved the club," Salah said. "I really wish that the club can do something for him and the fans also, because this is Liverpool and we do it this way."
Mohamed Salah reveals Liverpool injury return plan and selfless hope for surprise extra send-off
20:08, 01 May 2026
Steven Gerrard and Mohamed Salah in an interview for TNT Sports.(Image: Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah has selflessly revealed that he wants Jordan Henderson to get a belated Liverpool send-off on the final day of this season, alongside himself and Andy Robertson.
Salah and Robertson have both confirmed that they will be departing the Reds when the campaign comes to an end. Henderson left Anfield in the summer of 2023, but the deal that saw him move to Saudi Arabia was done during the close season and came as a surprise, meaning he didn't get a chance to get a proper goodbye.
While Salah and Robertson will take center stage once the Brentford game is played, Henderson will be at Anfield with his new side and could be a part of the post-match ceremonies that will take place to honor some club legends.
READ MORE: 4 things spotted in Liverpool training before Man Utd after Alisson update and injury boostREAD MORE: Jurgen Klopp won't join Real Madrid - but there is one job that could see him return to coaching"There is no better place to mention it than with you," Salah told Steven Gerrard in an interview for TNT Sports. "I think the last game of the season against Brentford, people in the city know how much it meant to Hendo also.
"Being here, captain of the club, for 12 years — more than me, more than Virgil, more than Robbo, more than anyone. He didn't get the send-off or the farewell that he deserved because he left immediately.
"I don't know how the club is going to manage it and I have no plan. I don't know how the supporters will also manage it, but I really wish they do something special for him.
Arne Slot and Mohamed Salah after the Liverpool ace was substituted against Crystal Palace.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"I've been there in the dressing room and without him, we wouldn't have achieved what we achieved. I really hope that the fans will give him a good send-off.
"You know how passionate he is and how much he loved the club. I really wish that the club can do something for him and the fans also, because this is Liverpool and we do it this way."
Asked if he would be back in time to face Brentford, Salah almost looked surprised at the question. "The injury is fine," Salah said. "I will definitely [play in the final game of the season] and probably before that, hopefully."
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Arne Slot was asked about Salah in his pre-match press conference ahead of taking on Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Article continues below"As we know from Mo, he's always working incredibly hard during the season when he's fit, but definitely also when he is injured to be back as soon as possible," Slot said.
"That's what he's trying now so well. Usually he's earlier fit than other players after a minor injury — because he has a minor injury.
"We expect him indeed to be back in the final part of the season, but not for Sunday."
Every word Arne Slot said on Mohamed Salah, Alisson, injury news and Alexander Isak form
13:19, 01 May 2026
Arne Slot spoke to the media on Friday head of Manchester United vs Liverpool(Image: This Is Anfield)
Arne Slot spoke to the media on Friday ahead of this weekend’s huge clash against Manchester United.
Both sides approach the fixture at Old Trafford looking to secure a spot in the Champions League for next season, with Liverpool one place behind Michael Carrick’s side in the table.
Ahead of the game, Slot fielded questions at the AXA Training Centre, where he was asked about the fitness levels of Mohamed Salah, Alisson, and Milos Kerkez, in addition to the recent form of Curtis Jones and Alexander Isak. Inevitably, the picture at the league summit was discussed, while Slot shared an update on a possible summer addition. Here are the best bits from the Dutchman’s press conference.
READ MORE: Liverpool star forced to drop out of training as Arne Slot provides injury updateREAD MORE: Arne Slot faces Mohamed Salah dilemma as Liverpool could recall 3 players vs Man UtdSalah injury : “As we know from Mo, he is always working incredibly hard when he is fit, but also when he is injured to be back as soon as possible. Usually, he is fit sooner than other players than others when he has a minor injury — so we expect him back for the final part of the season, but not for Sunday.
“In all ways, it is a big relief that his injury is minor that he is able to play for us and at the World Cup. If there is any time a player deserves to have a big send-off, it is definitely him.”
Alisson fitness : “For us, it is a bonus every player that comes back because if you add Mo to the injury list, it is getting longer and longer. It has been like that throughout the whole season. Ali hasn’t trained with us yet. Very close to train with us. I have to hear today from the medical staff to see if he is ready to train today, either tomorrow or the start of next week. He is very close, but also we don’t want to take any risks. That is not what you do with a player and that is not what we do now.
“I think there is a difference between a goalkeeper and [an outfield] player because if a player hasn’t trained in a few weeks… [outfield] players need to run more than goalkeepers do. So, I don’t think the issue with an [outfield] player when he is out for four or five weeks that he forgot to play football, it’s usually that the fitness levels are not at this intensity to play at the level the Premier League is asking. There is a difference between a goalkeeper and an outfield player.”
Slot hopes Mo Salah will be back on the pitch before the end of the season(Image: LFC)
Importance of Sunday : “I think it’s always like that, every game you play has influence on your league position. So that’s not only when you play Man United, it’s every week in every game. But we are aware of the fact that it’s a very big game, not only because we play Man United, but definitely also to qualify for the Champions League and to get the highest possible position in the league table, which of course is something we want. We wanted to, of course, win the league. That’s not possible. And then you have to try to end up as high as possible, and that’s what we are trying week in, week out, and that’s what we’re going to try Sunday again as well.”
Converting chances : “Having Alex more and more available, having him available at his top level, would increase that even more. In general having players available would help becoming consistent; at the moment not playing three times in seven days helps in our consistency. But chance creation, converting into goals that is something we haven’t done very well throughout this whole season but one of the players we always thought could score goals for us was hardly available.
“Last week you could see it was a chance but it wasn’t the biggest chance we’ve had this season and he finished that one off really well by scoring the 1-0 and scoring a goal which is vital in football as it sets you in the right direction or if you don’t score it and concede a set-piece at the other end — which happened so many times in the first half of the season – that brings the game in a different direction. Happy to have Alex back, unfortunately Mo was of course another great goalscorer for so many years and is not available on Sunday but Alex is. I think some other players that haven’t scored the amount of goals that I think they are able to or they have shown in the past they are able to and that will go back to normal in a certain moment and the sooner the better.”
Backroom staff additions : “I think we all know we lot a member of staff during the season. We parted ways so it makes complete sense at this club, if someone is leaving a department, that you are looking at a replacement. In general for a club, it makes sense not only to look at player-wise but also staff-wise. We are always keeping our eyes open to improve the club and that means it could be a player but also a staff. We always look around to see how we can strengthen.”
Curtis Jones' performances have been excellent in recent weeks(Image: (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images))
Jones recent performances : “Very well. Not perfect, which is completely normal, but very well, especially if you take into account – that’s why it makes complete sense that it’s not perfect, although who is perfect in whichever position? — he hardly has played in that position throughout his career. That he does it the way he does is a big compliment, because I think he played twice a good game; against Palace, even better than against Everton, defensively I mean then mainly, which makes sense because usually you improve by playing more in a certain position, getting more used to the players around you and to your position.
“What we always know from him is that he shows great personality in every position he plays. He’s never afraid to play, never afraid to get the ball, never scared to take a bit of risk, which is something he maybe has to adjust a little bit because in midfield it’s a bit different than playing in the last line, taking risk. But it’s also one of his qualities that he’s able to bring himself out of very difficult positions, which could come across as taking risk, but usually the ball is in safe hands when he has it because he’s very good and comfortable on the ball.”
Article continues belowKerkez fitness : “Milos has had some niggles, left the training pitch not yesterday but the day before. But I expect him to either train today or tomorrow.”
Wirtz output vs top sides : “I don’t only hope that, I am 100 percent sure he will [improve]. For me, it is a coincidence, we have to play three more who are in those positions so that gives him three more chances to do this. For me the development Florian has made throughout his Liverpool career, which has only been 10 months, is so clear and obvious: 93rd minute against Crystal Palace making a duel on the sideline, winning a throw-in and then making a sprint from 40 yards and hitting the ball in the top corner, that is something I am not completely convinced he could do the same eight months ago.
“His improvement - and he was already an elite player – has been, for me, clear and obvious and that improvement will only continue as he is only 22 so that makes complete sense. Almost every player in the world is at his best when he is 25, 26 but he is already an elite player now and he can only become better and that is the beauty of the signings he did last summer, that all of them are of a certain age where we can only expect them to get better — as long as they don’t get injured.”
Wayne Rooney reopens Liverpool wounds with fresh Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk dig
Daniel Orme Trends Writer
11:46, 01 May 2026Updated 11:51, 01 May 2026
Wayne Rooney has had his say on the Liverpool duo(Image: Xavier Laine, Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney thinks Mohamed Salah's legs have already gone and has warned that Virgil van Dijk is heading in the same direction. Salah is poised to depart Liverpool this summer after a glittering stint at Anfield.
The Egyptian will exit the club following his most challenging season on Merseyside, having netted just seven Premier League goals this campaign, while his place in the starting XI has not always been guaranteed under Arne Slot.
Rooney is convinced that time has finally caught up with the 33-year-old, and that his Liverpool captain is following a similar trajectory. Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the Manchester United icon said: "I said this since the start of the season, age gets to us all and your legs go.
READ MORE: Liverpool star forced to drop out of training as Arne Slot provides injury updateREAD MORE: Arne Slot issues Alisson fitness update ahead of Liverpool trip to Man Utd"I think that's happened to Salah this season and Virgil van Dijk hasn't been the same this season. They are the leaders in the dressing room. It's hard for the other players to go and leave their mark or become the leaders."
"I don't think he [Van Dijk] will [leave] but you've seen players when they've stayed there for too long."
He added: "The hardest thing for a player is to understand you may be not at the level you were. I did it at Manchester United when Zlatan Ibrahimovic came in and I wasn't playing. I wanted to play so I left straight away. I accepted it."
Unlike Salah, Van Dijk will stay at Liverpool for the foreseeable future. The Dutch center-back remains tied to the Reds until next summer, having signed an extension just last year.
Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk(Image: PA)
Salah's Liverpool farewell has encountered a significant setback, with the Egyptian poised to miss his final Premier League fixture against Manchester United this Sunday. The forward was substituted last weekend against Crystal Palace due to a hamstring injury.
Article continues belowWhile Liverpool manager Arne Slot has ruled him out of this weekend's match, the Dutchman is hopeful that he will return before the end of the season.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Slot said: "As we know for Mo, he is always working hard when he is fit and when he is injured to be back. He is usually fitter than others, so we expect him back for the final part of the season.
"Not for tomorrow. It is always a big relief that his injury is minor to play for us and the World Cup. Any time a player who deserved a send-off, it's great news."
Arne Slot says the quiet part out loud about Alexander Isak's Liverpool struggles
11:28, 01 May 2026
Alexander Isak has endured a slow start to life at Liverpool(Image: 2026 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
Arne Slot admitted that Alexander Isak's Liverpool teammates need to work on getting the Swede more touches of the ball.
Isak has endured a disappointing first season at Anfield, but his slow start to life on Merseyside can largely be put down to fitness issues. Isak started the season slowly after missing pre-season with Newcastle as he went on strike to force through his move to Liverpool, and a brief injury lay-off in October and November was followed by a much longer lay-off after he suffered a broken leg in December.
Isak is still working his way back up to full fitness, and scored his first Premier League goal at Anfield last weekend as he opened the scoring in the 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
READ MORE: Liverpool star forced to drop out of training as Arne Slot provides injury updateREAD MORE: Arne Slot offers curious response to question over 'harsh' fan criticismObviously, the former Newcastle striker still has a huge way to go to rediscover the form that earned him a Premier League-record move to Anfield last summer, and Slot thinks his teammates can play a part in that happening.
"The more he touches the ball, the bigger the chances," Slot said. "But it makes sense that connections need to be rebuilt and that is the good thing, we have training time, so we can bring him in the positions he prefers.
"It's helpful for him to get fitter. A game is 95 minutes, full throttle, constant running, so being fit is quite important."
Isak became Liverpool's record signing after Florian Wirtz had held that title for just a few weeks following his big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Arne Slot also spoke about Florian Wirtz's start to life at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Slot also spoke about Wirtz's slow start to life at Anfield, as he praised the youngster's improved form in recent weeks.
"The development Florian has made in his Liverpool career is so clear and obvious," said Slot.
"In the 93rd minute against Crystal Palace, making a duel on the sideline, winning a throw-in and then making a sprint from 40 yards and hitting the ball in the top corner... That is something I am not completely convinced he could do eight months ago.
READ MORE: Arne Slot hints at Liverpool summer addition as preparations for next season beginREAD MORE: Arne Slot issues Alisson fitness update ahead of Liverpool trip to Man Utd"His improvement - and he was already an elite player – will only continue as he is only 22 so that makes complete sense.
Article continues below"Almost every player in the world is at his best when he is 25, 26 but he is already an elite player and he can only become better.
"That is the beauty of the signings we did last summer, that all of them are of a certain age where we can only expect them to get better."