What unfolded at the AXA Training Centre was a deliberate, phased approach that underscores Slot’s pragmatic style: protect the long-term assets while navigating an ongoing injury crisis.
Isak, the Swedish striker signed from Newcastle last summer for big money, stepped back onto the grass for light running work — his first time out of the gym and treatment room in months following a fractured leg sustained against Tottenham in December. Slot confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Isak was in running shoes (not boots yet), marking a significant but cautious milestone. “Alex has been on the pitch with his running shoes for the first time this week,” Slot explained. “It will still be a while… It’ll be somewhere around the international break. That depends on whether he has a setback. It’ll be the end of March, start of April when he’s back with the group, but it doesn’t mean he’s ready to start playing straight away.”
The Dutch manager kept Isak’s involvement light and supervised — no full-contact drills, no shooting practice, just controlled running to rebuild confidence and test the leg’s response. Sources close to the club describe it as Slot “easing him in gently,” prioritizing full fitness over rushing him back for Forest. With Sweden’s national team coach Graham Potter reportedly monitoring progress ahead of March play-offs, Slot is balancing club needs with international considerations, ensuring no unnecessary risks.
Frimpong, the dynamic right-back who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen, was a different story. Slot ruled him out entirely for the Forest game, confirming the thigh injury picked up in the Champions League against Qarabag remains a hurdle. “Jeremie will not be involved this weekend. We hope he will be involved next week if things go as planned,” Slot stated. In training, Frimpong was present but limited to individual rehab and gym work — no group sessions, no sprinting or tackling. Slot’s decision to keep him sidelined reflects a conservative stance amid Liverpool’s defensive shortages (Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Wataru Endo also out long-term), prompting the boss to draft in academy prospects Josh Davidson and Terence Miles for first-team drills to bolster numbers.
The “genius” or controversy? Slot’s handling has split opinions. Some see it as smart squad management — protecting high-value players (€70m+ investments) during a congested period, avoiding re-injury that could derail the season. Others argue it’s overly cautious, especially with Liverpool chasing Champions League spots and Forest proving tricky opponents (Slot yet to beat them as Reds boss). By keeping Isak and Frimpong on the fringes today — one progressing slowly, the other held back — Slot sent a clear message: no shortcuts, even if it means leaning on backups like Joe Gomez (now ready to start) or youth options.
This approach ties into Slot’s broader philosophy: build sustainably rather than chase short-term fixes. Isak’s gradual reintroduction could make him a late-season weapon, while Frimpong’s expected return next week offers hope for rotation relief. Fans watched clips and reports of the session with anticipation — Isak jogging gingerly, Frimpong in the background doing rehab — a far cry from full involvement but a step forward nonetheless.
As Liverpool head to the City Ground, Slot’s training decisions highlight the fine line between caution and ambition. The duo aren’t starting against Forest, but today’s controlled exposure keeps the door open for bigger impacts soon. In a season defined by injuries, Slot’s measured touch with Isak and Frimpong might just prove the difference in the run-in.
