Arne Slot gives Alexander Isak response and hints Liverpool transfer is nearly complete

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has indicated Darwin Nunez's move to Al Hilal is all but done. However, he wouldn't be drawn on questions over whether Alexander Isak will take the Uruguayan's place at Anfield.

Slot's Premier League champions have already added Hugo Ekitike to their front-line, but Isak is very much still on their radar. An opening bid worth up to £120million was rejected by Newcastle, and it remains to be seen whether the Redd return with a fresh offer this summer.

"As you know, we never talk about players that aren't yours," Slot told reporters ahead of the Community Shield when asked about Isak. "I can talk about Hugo who signed recently.

"We are very happy with the squad we are having. Okay, players left but we brought players in as well and youngsters are doing good. Darwin might leave but things aren't signed yet. We need to wait a few days before things are done."

Isak missed Newcastle's tour of Asia, spending the period training with former club Real Sociedad while working his way back to full fitness. The Swede is back in Newcastle training, but manager Eddie Howe is not expected to pick him for upcoming friendlies.

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"You have to earn the right to train with us," Howe said during the week. "We are Newcastle United. The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad - you have to act in the right way.

"So that is also at play here. We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal."

While Liverpool boss Slot declined to comment directly on Isak, he did point to another attacking option for later in the campaign. Mohamed Salah is set to miss some action during the Africa Cup of Nations, and Slot indicated new right-back Jeremie Frimpong will be an option further forward during that period.

"We definitely thought about AFCON. It's partly why we brought in Frimpong because he can play as a right-winger," Slot said. "A maximum six games without Mo, but that's a lot in the Premier League. Jeremie can play there but he isn't the only option."

Liverpool's more immediate focus is the Community Shield. The Reds face Crystal Palace at Wembley on Sunday, and it's a chance for fans to get another look at new signings including Frimpong, Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.

"Bilbao, Milan and Yokohama already gave us good competition," Slot said, referring to his team's pre-season tests. "Palace hit the ground running again, it is still the same team. A good challenge for us to start the season."

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