Alexander Isak's £125m move to Liverpool is proving costly with fitness issues linked to his summer Newcastle boycott
Alexander Isak is struggling for fitness at Liverpool
Alexander Isak is struggling for fitness at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
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Alexander Isak's summer boycott from Newcastle United is said to be impacting Liverpool as the Swede attempts to regain his fitness.
Isak's move from Newcastle to Liverpool was one of the biggest stories of the summer transfer window. The 26-year-old refused to play for the Magpies, accusing Eddie Howe's side of "broken promises" in a social media post.
Having missed pre-season training and the opening few games of the campaign, Liverpool ultimately spent £125m on a player who wasn't fit enough to play 90 minutes at the start of the year.
After eight appearances for the Reds, Isak was not named in the squad for Liverpool's clash with Brentford due to a groin injury. BBC Sport's Chris Sutton believes this is a consequence of the striker's decision to stop playing towards the end of his time with Newcastle.
He wrote: "It feels like what has happened to him is a case of you reap what you sow. Isak has been short of full fitness and especially sharpness all season anyway, and he did not help himself there by missing training with Newcastle in order to try to force his move to Anfield through.
Alexander Isak of Liverpool chases the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC at Frankfurt Stadion on October 22, 2025 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Isak went off injured in Liverpool's 5-1 victory over Frankfurt mid-week
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"He got what he wanted, but now he is trying to play catch-up instead of hitting the ground running because of the time he had off, and that is when you can pick up injuries.
"Isak is too good a player not to eventually start scoring goals but this whole situation has affected Liverpool as a team too, because his lack of fitness is one of the reasons they have not clicked in the final third yet."
While Isak has been finding his feet at Liverpool, Hugo Ekitike has bagged six goals and one assist in his opening 13 appearances for the Reds since joining from Frankfurt in a deal worth £79m.
The two prominent forwards were set for a titanic battle for the starting striker role, with both hoping to prove themselves as Slot’s No.1 choice. For now, Ekitike appears to be winning that battle, despite Liverpool paying £46m more for Isak.
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