Liverpool signs Isak in a historic deal and Slot confirms: "The integration will be gradual"

Liverpool's coach Arne Slot expressed his optimism today, Friday, about the addition of Swedish striker Alexander Isak to the team, but emphasized that the player will be gradually integrated into the lineup due to his long absence from team training.

Liverpool completed the transfer of Isak from Newcastle United for £125 million ($169 million) on the last day of the transfer window, putting an end to months of speculation about the player's future.

Slot said at a press conference: "We will handle Alex as they did in the Swedish national team. Don’t expect him to participate in every match for 90 minutes; he has missed the preparation period and has been absent from team training for three or four months."

He added: "We signed him for six years, not just for two weeks, so we need to prepare him gradually, especially since the team is playing consecutive matches and there is not enough time for training."

Isak (25 years old) has only participated for 18 minutes this season, with his only appearance coming off the bench for the Swedish national team in the loss to Kosovo (0-2) last Monday.

Slot revealed that the club was close to signing Crystal Palace defender Marc Ghiyeh, but the deal did not go through, saying: "We wanted to sign him, of course, but things did not go as we wanted. He is in a good place, having won the charity shield and the FA Cup, and he is coached by an excellent manager."

Liverpool is at the top of the Premier League with 9 points from three matches, amid great fan anticipation to see Isak in the "Reds" jersey as soon as possible.