'I had mentally written this season off for Isak'
[Getty Images] Alexander Isak will return to first-team training this week, three months on from picking up an ankle injury and fibula fracture, and Liverpool fan Adam Beattie believes the summer signing could be "an exciting option off the bench" in the closing stages of the season. The 26-year-old Swede, a British-record £125m signing, has been sidelined since scoring in Liverpool's win over Tottenham back in December. "His return is quicker than I thought it was going to be," Beattie told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"I had mentally written this season off for him. "I expected him to return around late April or early May, which is when the season is either petering out or there is everything to play for all at once. "Alexander Isak is an exciting option to have off the bench, definitely.
"I believe the reason Hugo Ekitike's form has dipped a bit is because he has been so heavily relied upon [this season]. When Liverpool bought him, I doubt the plan was for him to be the focal point of our attack week in, week out. "It will be good to be able to interchange Isak and Ekitike - and maybe even see them on the pitch at the same time.
"But, over the next couple of weeks, I expect it to be more of a substitute scenario for him as we've got big games coming up. I also don't think we will see him on Saturday [against Manchester City ]. "Arne Slot thinks he has a chance of being at that Paris St-Germain game though, and I don't think he would say that if he didn't think it was an option.
" We want your views on Isak's return to training too - does he have a part to play this season or does he need a full pre-season to get into the swing of things? [BBC] Listen to the full conversation on BBC Sounds