Isak completed his British-record move to Liverpool on deadline day, having gone on strike to secure a switch to the Premier League champions. As such, the Swede was unable to take part in pre-season training for Newcastle, and he’s been playing catch-up in the weeks since.
As a result, the 26-year-old, who scored 23 league goals last season, has only made three league appearances for the Reds, starting twice. In addition, Isak has only scored one goal, that coming in a 2-1 EFL Cup win over Championship outfit Southampton last month, a game marred by Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending ACL injury.
Despite a lack of match fitness, Isak was called up to Sweden‘s national squad for upcoming World Cup qualification meetings with Switzerland and Kosovo as the Blue and Yellow look to put their first win on the board having failed to win their opening two World Cup qualifying matches, following up a 2-2 draw with Slovenia with a 2-0 loss to Kosovo.
Isak has kept a low profile following his move to Liverpool, instead focusing his efforts on getting up to speed with his new team. Indeed, the striker skipped Sweden media duties in the September international break as he looked to avoid the spotlight.
However, Isak has since broken his silence ahead of Sweden’s meeting with Switzerland on Friday, 10th October, and when asked about Liverpool as both a team and a city, he’s quoted by Sport Witness as saying: “Great so far. A great team and a city where the team has a good relationship with the fans. It’s been great so far.”
The striker’s comments will sit well with the Liverpool faithful, who have thrown their full backing behind their big-money summer signing, despite having scored just one goal in his opening six appearances for Arne Slot’s men.
And Isak’s comments on his shape and fitness will sit well with Sweden and Liverpool fans. Isak is yet to play the full 90 minutes for club or country this season, having been subbed off in all four of his Liverpool starts to date.
However, Isak insists he feels as though he is able to play a full match having spent time building up his fitness, stating ahead of Friday’s game against Switzerland: “Tomorrow I’m ready for 90 minutes if needed.
“It’s been a month now. I’ve gotten a lot more playing time, and things have calmed down. I feel in a much better position now than last time.”
Liverpool fans will be hoping Isak can get his season up and running for Sweden over the coming days as the Reds look to get their season back on track. Slot’s side sacrificed top spot before the international break as they fell to a 2-1 loss at Chelsea last weekend.
Defeat at Stamford Bridge means Liverpool have now lost their last three matches, having conceded late on in a 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace and succumbed to a 1-0 reverse at Galatasaray in the Champions League.
The loss to Galatasaray came at a cost, too, with Alisson ruled out until after the November international break owing to a hamstring issue. The Brazilian’s absence means Giorgi Mamardashvili will continue between the sticks when domestic duties resume next weekend.
Liverpool return to Premier League action with the welcome of rivals Manchester United. United headed into the break on a high, having defeated Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford as Ruben Amorim seeks to secure back-to-back league wins for the first time since taking over from Erik ten Hag last November.
