As the 2025/26 season enters its most grueling phase, Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre has been revitalized by a wave of long-awaited hope. After months haunted by an injury crisis, manager Arne Slot has officially confirmed the return of club-record signing Alexander Isak to team training, alongside encouraging fitness updates for key pillars Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa.
These updates are far more than routine medical reports; they represent vital reinforcements as the Reds look to salvage their campaign, push for higher ground in the Premier League, and pursue silverware in the FA Cup and Champions League.
Alexander Isak: The Return of the “Nordic Assassin”
Since December 20, 2025, a massive void has loomed over Liverpool’s frontline. In a high-stakes clash against Tottenham Hotspur, Alexander Isak collapsed after a collision with Micky van de Ven while scoring the opening goal. The diagnosis—a fractured fibula and serious ankle injury—required surgery and sidelined the £125 million striker for over three months.
On Thursday, April 2, 2026, Isak finally returned to the grass with his teammates. Arne Slot was visibly relieved: “Alex is in a really good place. It’s been three or four months of hard work, and to have him back for the final two months of the season is incredibly helpful for us. We all know the quality he brings; he is an incredible striker.”
While Slot emphasized a cautious approach—noting that Isak may not be ready to start immediately—the presence of the Swedish international provides a lethal option off the bench as Liverpool prepares for a season-defining run of fixtures.
Double Boost: Salah and Chiesa Eye Manchester City
If Isak’s return is a story of long-term persistence, Mohamed Salah’s recovery is a testament to extraordinary professionalism. Slot revealed that initial medical assessments following the international break cast doubt on Salah’s availability for the upcoming FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City. However, the Egyptian icon took matters into his own hands.
“Mo looked at me and said, ‘I think I will be available for City,'” Slot shared. “He is another example of what makes him special. He cares for his body so meticulously that he recovers at a rate that is truly remarkable.” Having missed the recent league defeat to Brighton, Salah has since returned to training and is expected to lead the line at the Etihad.
Adding to the optimism, Federico Chiesa has also overcome the issues that forced him to withdraw from the Italian national team camp. Slot confirmed that the winger completed full training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, making him a crucial tactical option for the weekend’s high-stakes encounter.
Arne Slot’s Tactical Dilemma
The simultaneous return of these attacking stars presents Slot with a “pleasant headache.” Throughout Isak’s absence, Liverpool relied heavily on rotating Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo, often struggling to break down deep-sitting defensive blocks. With Isak’s movement, Salah’s clinical finishing, and Chiesa’s direct pace all potentially available, Liverpool’s offensive ceiling has been raised significantly at the perfect moment.
The road ahead is far from easy. With a pivotal FA Cup tie against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City followed by a Champions League quarter-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain, Slot will need his squad fully fit and firing.
As Liverpool looks to stabilize their position in the Premier League table and push for glory in knockout competitions, the return of their attacking talisman serves as a timely reminder of the ambition at Anfield. The final two months of the season promise to be a rollercoaster, but for the first time in 2026, the Reds appear to be regaining their full strength.