Burnley v Liverpool live: Premier League team news and line-ups as Reds make Alexander Isak decision – UK Times

Hugo Ekitike is raring to embrace the challenge of new Liverpool signing Alexander Isak but admits the striker’s arrival could pose a “problem” for someone at the club.

“When you play for the best teams, you inevitably expect to be competing with the best players,” Ekitike said.

“Isak is a player I used to watch, so seeing him arrive is a pleasure.

“It’s going to be tough competition, but I’m going to work hard to be good and perform well so that it’s just the coach’s problem.”

Alexander Isak played his first minutes of the season following his drawn-out transfer saga that dominated the summer.

Isak, who went on strike at Newcastle in order to force his £125m deadline day move to Liverpool, came off the bench for Sweden in the 72nd minute of Monday’s World Cup qualifier against Kosovo.

The 25-year-old sharpshooter couldn’t salvage a result for his nation, however, with Sweden suffering a shock 2-0 defeat thanks to first-half goals from Elvis Rexhbecaj and Vedat Muriqi.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted his relationship with Alexander Isak became “difficult” after he went on strike in an attempt to force through his move to Liverpool.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has tempered expectations surrounding Alexander Isak by suggesting the British-record signing is unlikely hit the ground running after a disrupted pre-season.

“Don’t expect him to be every single game 90 minutes on the pitch. That’s definitely not going to happen for the next few weeks. He missed a proper pre-season,” Slot said.

“I think he missed three or four months of team sessions, so now we have to build him up gradually with us playing so many games and hardly any training time.”

Alexander Isak could make his Liverpool debut but Arne Slot said the Reds will need to build up his fitness first. Jeremie Frimpong could return but Curtis Jones is out. Dominik Szoboszlai could continue at right back.

Burnley have no new injury concerns. Zeki Amdouni, Jordan Beyer and Connor Roberts remain out but Hjalmar Ekdal has been passed fit despite picking up a knock while playing for Sweden.

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

The Reds struck late on to defeat Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal to stand as the only team with a 100 per cent record after three games.

Arne Slot’s side have since signed Alexander Isak in a record deadline day deal, with the striker available to make his debut.

Burnley have three points on the board since returning to the Premier League, beating Sunderland in their first game back at Turf Moor.