Arne Slot has publicly defended Alexander Isak after the striker’s decision to withdraw from Newcastle United duties drew criticism. Speaking ahead of Isak’s potential debut for Liverpool against Burnley on Sunday, Slot argued the Swede’s actions should not be read as a mark on his character and stressed Liverpool would handle the situation differently.

Isak has said Newcastle had “broken” a number of promises made to him, leaving him “no alternative but to try and force a way out of St James’ Park.” The striker’s goal that beat Liverpool and secured Newcastle the Carabao Cup last season also ended a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.

Some have accused Isak of breaching the spirit of his contract; others have suggested clubs can exercise too much control over a player’s career and exile those they deem surplus, citing Manchester United’s and Chelsea’s “bomb squad” of unwanted players as examples.

Slot pushed back on judgments of the player’s character. “No [it doesn’t reflect badly], I just look at the club. It’s not necessary at our club, because we also trade players,” Slot said. “If a player wants to leave and we get the right money for him, this club has shown so many years now that we then sell.

“You can just keep on training here – Lucho [Luis Díaz] and Harvey [Elliott] get their transfers , Tyler Morton gets his transfer, all these players, I can come up with eight, nine, 10 I think in the last window, that just conduct themselves in the best possible way.”

Slot confirmed Liverpool will manage Isak’s introduction carefully because the striker lacked training and first-team minutes over the summer, which may prevent him from playing immediately. Still, Slot expressed clear confidence in Isak’s quality. “He is one of the best in the world,” Slot beamed. “But for him to become the best, I think the best players in the world win trophies.

“It [the fee] might put pressure on him and me but nothing extra – if you have this [Liverpool badge] on your shirt there is always pressure,” Slot added. “We target a player and we want to have him. We decide what his value is, if that matches with what the club wants then we are not afraid to act. We get that money from trading players and winning the league after we didn’t spend anything at all.”

The Premier League returns for Gameweek 4 with a compact 36-hour schedule and a handful of fixtures that will attract attention across the weekend. The campaign resumes with a high-profile early kick-off as Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest visits title hopefuls Arsenal at the Emirates. The new Forest boss begins what promises to be a difficult opening stretch against one of the division’s leading sides.

Several matches fall under the traditional 3 p.m. blackout, including an all-south coast meeting between Bournemouth and Brighton at the Vitality. Both clubs produced strong results before the international break and will be aiming to build early momentum toward a European push.

Aston Villa travel to Everton searching for their first goal of the new season, while an injury-hit Sunderland make their first London trip of 2025–26 to face Crystal Palace. Leeds United head to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham, and Newcastle host Wolves without new signing Yoane Wissa because of injury.

The evening run in the capital features West Ham welcoming Mohammed Kudus back to the London Stadium and Tottenham looking to return to winning ways with Thomas Frank set to deploy Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani. Chelsea make the short trip across west London to Brentford later on Saturday.

Kick-Off Time

12.30 p.m. BST / 7.30 a.m. ET
Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest
3–1

3 p.m. BST / 10 a.m. ET
Bournemouth vs. Brighton
1–2

3 p.m. BST / 10 a.m. ET
Crystal Palace vs. Sunderland
2–0

3 p.m. BST / 10 a.m. ET
Everton vs. Aston Villa
2–1

3 p.m. BST / 10 a.m. ET
Fulham vs. Leeds
3–1

3 p.m. BST / 10 a.m. ET
Newcastle vs. Wolves
2–0

5.30 p.m. BST / 12.30 p.m. ET
West Ham vs. Tottenham
1–2

8 p.m. BST / 2.45 p.m. ET
Brentford vs. Chelsea
1–1

The champions have not yet reached top gear in 2025–26, and Alexander Isak may feature for the first time since his record-breaking move to Liverpool was confirmed on Deadline Day. The Swede appeared briefly over the international break as he works back to full match fitness. Liverpool, having taken maximum points so far, travel to newly promoted Burnley hoping to impose themselves at Turf Moor.

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City dazzled in Gameweek 1 but have since lost back-to-back matches. The break was needed and the Cityzens have the chance to reclaim local bragging rights when Manchester United visit on Sunday afternoon.

Chelsea make the short trip to Brentford on Saturday as Enzo Maresca’s side continue a run of London fixtures to open the 2025/26 Premier League season. The visitors arrive with encouraging results while Cole Palmer works his way back from a groin injury. Maresca has said that a decision will be made on Palmer after Friday’s training session, but the playmaker may not start anyway, even if he’s deemed fit. The Chelsea boss has to consider the upcoming Champions League fixture away at Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Brentford will hope Chelsea are still without Palmer. Keith Andrews’ side look to recover from the 2–1 defeat at Sunderland on 30/08/25 and build on the narrow 1–0 victory over Aston Villa on 23/08/25. Andrews registered his first Premier League win since succeeding Thomas Frank, despite summer departures that left many projecting a difficult campaign. Brentford also registered earlier results including Bournemouth 0–2 Brentford on 26/08/25, Nottingham Forest 3–1 Brentford on 17/08/25 and a 2–2 draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach on 08/08/25.

Chelsea’s recent results include Chelsea 2–0 Fulham (30/08/25), West Ham 1–5 Chelsea (22/08/25), Chelsea 0–0 Crystal Palace (17/08/25), Chelsea 4–1 AC Milan (10/08/25) and wins over Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach in pre-season fixtures listed on 08/08/25.

Team news for Brentford is broadly positive. Vitaly Janelt is available again after a heel injury, Michael Kayode, who had been taken ill while on Italy Under-21 duty, is fit, and Deadline Day arrival Reiss Nelson “will play a part,” Andrews has confirmed. Paris Maghoma and Gustavo Gomes remain sidelined.

Maresca faces selection choices. Liam Delap could be out until December with a hamstring injury and Levi Colwill remains a long-term absentee. Andrey Santos, João Pedro and Estêvão returned late from international duty and injuries may force Santos and Pedro into the starting XI. Dário Essugo has joined the treatment table and Roméo Lavia is unlikely to be available this weekend.

Predicted Brentford XI (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Henry; Henderson, Jensen; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago.

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Sandro; Neto, Fernández, Gittens; Pedro.

Chelsea possess clear quality on paper but several members of Maresca’s squad travelled long distances during the international break, which may affect preparation. Brentford have lost key components over the summer yet early signs indicate they remain a resilient Premier League side capable of surprises.