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Isak trained for the first time last week after recovering from a broken ankle and fibula, which he sustained while scoring against Tottenham Hotspur in December.

The 26-year-old has struggled for form and fitness at Liverpool since signing from Newcastle United in a record-breaking transfer.

Isak has scored just three goals for Liverpool in 16 appearances, but Slot is buoyed by his return ahead of the run-in.

While Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final tie against Manchester City will be too early for Isak to start, he could play a part.

"It will definitely be too fast to expect him in the starting line-up," Slot said.

"He has trained with us yesterday for the first time and today will be the second time after exactly 101 days.

"It will take a bit of time to give him a lot of minutes but we will make sure we do the right thing in terms of building him up. It is a very good thing to have him on the training ground again. It would be an even better thing to have him in games, that's for sure.

"It is a difficult one because we don't play a normal game. What I mean is it could go to extra time so that makes it even more complicated if we bring him in and we think he can only play 10 minutes and bring him on and then it goes to extra time.

"Of course we can take him off again if we have enough players available. Maybe a few minutes but let's wait and see how he is today, how he feels about it himself. It's clear after two training sessions in 100 days, it would not make any sense to start him."

Slot has been frustrated by Isak's absence, but he feels the lay-off may actually have done the Sweden forward some good.

"If I look at him now compared to where he was before he got injured I see a player that is much stronger," SLot said.

"Physically [he is] in a much better place but going from 100 days off to the intensity of the Premier League in the end phase of the season and the end phase of the [UEFA] Champions League where usually the opposition you face is even harder, what's realistic to expect? That's difficult.

"I am really happy that I have at least a number nine again available behind Hugo [Ekitike] or together with Hugo so that is already a positive thing and what to expect, I think I've said many times that next season when he's had a pre-season, we can expect more from him than now but even the way he is now is already a big step forward for us compared to what he had when he arrived."

Mohamed Salah has scored in each of his last three FA Cup appearances, including in a quarter-final against Manchester United in 2023-2024.

The player to score in four consecutive FA Cup appearances most recently for Liverpool was Emile Heskey in 2000-2001, whose run included a goal against Manchester City in the fifth round.

Salah confirmed last week that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, but Slot confirmed the Egyptian had overcome an injury and would be fit to feature at Etihad Stadium.

"What has happened since his announcement is what he completely deserved. His team-mates when asked about his legacy said what needed to be said," Slot said of Salah.

"He has been unbelievable for this club for so many years. Scoring so many goals, winning so many trophies. I saw a beautiful photo of him in front of all the trophies he's won individually and as a team. I can only hope that he can add two extra trophies to it before the end of this season."