Isak travels with Liverpool to PSG but will not start, says Slot

POISSY, France, April 7 : Liverpool striker Alexander Isak travelled with the squad for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first-leg trip to Paris St Germain, but the club's British record signing will not start against the European champions, manager Arne Slot said on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old Sweden international returned to full team training last week following a prolonged absence with a broken leg. However, he was left out of the squad for Saturday's 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final thrashing at Manchester City.

Isak's return is nonetheless a major boost for the reigning Premier League champions, who have endured a difficult domestic campaign.

Liverpool are languishing in fifth place in the English top flight and have suffered 15 defeats across all competitions this season - their highest tally in a single campaign since losing 18 matches in 2014-15.

Since joining from Newcastle United for a club-record 125 million pounds ($165.78 million) on transfer deadline day in September, Isak has scored three goals and provided one assist in 16 appearances across all competitions.

"He finished close to a week of team training sessions, so he can play a part - otherwise I wouldn't take him," Slot told reporters.

"We didn't take him to the Etihad because we felt he wasn't able to get a performance yet. Now we think we can get a performance out of him, but not to start."

Asked whether Ligue 1 leaders PSG should be considered favourites, Slot downplayed the importance of labels.

"I don't think it matters if there is a favourite. It's only about two games - a lot can happen in two games," he said.

The tie is a repeat of last season's round-of-16 meeting, when PSG eliminated Liverpool on penalties.

"Last season I think we deserved to lose