Alexander Isak trains before Liverpool debut as Arne Slot handed double boost

Reds look set to remain without midfielder for Champions League curtain-raiser against Atletico Madrid at Anfield

Preparations: Alexander Isak in Liverpool training on Tuesday before his likely debut against Atletico Madrid

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Melwood Training Centre on September 16, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Liverpool team training at AXA Melwood Training Centre on September 16, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

Newcastle United’s Swedish striker #09 Alexander Isak (3L) attends a training session at the team’s training ground in Kirkby, north of Liverpool in northwest England, on September 16, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League football match against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP) (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool’s Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah (L) and Newcastle United’s Swedish striker #09 Alexander Isak attends a training session at the team’s training ground in Kirkby, north of Liverpool in northwest England, on September 16, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League football match against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP) (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)

Alexis Mac Allister and Alexander Isak both took part in Liverpool training ahead of their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.

There was initial concern regarding Mac Allister’s potential availability for Wednesday night’s high-profile league phase opener at Anfield after he was substituted at half-time of Sunday’s last-gasp Premier League win over Burnley.

The Argentine international required lengthy treatment on the pitch following a heavy challenge by former Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, who was booked and later sent off following another foul on Florian Wirtz, initially playing on before making way for Conor Bradley at the break as Dominik Szoboszlai moved back into the middle.

However, Liverpool boss Arne Slot looked to allay fears over Mac Allister following the dramatic victory at Turf Moor sealed by Mohamed Salah’s 95th-minute penalty, explaining that he was not fully fit after missing a lot of pre-season with an injury sustained towards the end of last term and playing for Argentina during the recent international break.

Reds fans will be relieved to learn that the World Cup winner took part in an open training session at Kirkby on Tuesday, where he was joined by Isak.

The new £125million British record signing was omitted from the squad that travelled to Burnley having been deemed not ready by Slot, who is bringing Isak along slowly after he missed all of pre-season and the start of the new campaign as he tried to force an exit from Newcastle, where he was not training with the first-team squad.

He said after the win at the weekend that Isak could possibly play at least 45 minutes against Atletico on Wednesday on what would be his debut, but warned that if he did that then it would not be repeated during Saturday’s home Merseyside derby clash against Everton.

Injury scare: Alexis Mac Allister needed to go off at half-time during Sunday’s 1-0 win over Burnley

Absent from Liverpool training on Tuesday was Curtis Jones, who looks set to remain sidelined with an unspecified knock suffered during the win over Arsenal before the international break that saw him play no part at Burnley.

Jeremie Frimpong made a late return off the bench for Liverpool at the weekend after a hamstring issue, while Milos Kerkez’s first-half substitution was not injury-related as he walked a disciplinary tightrope after being booked for simulation while trying to earn a penalty.

Atletico are dealing with a number of injury problems ahead of their trip to Anfield, confirming earlier on Tuesday that none of Julian Alvarez, Johnny Cardoso, Thiago Almada, Jose Maria Gimenez or Alex Baena were travelling to Merseyside.

Robin Le Normand and David Hancko are in Diego Simeone’s squad, though, after both being forced off with knocks in Saturday’s LaLiga win over Villarreal.

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