The latest Liverpool news as a former Premier League payers raises concerns for Arne Slot over the fitness of his £125m start striker
Alexander Isak during Liverpool's warm-up ahead of facing Manchester City
Alexander Isak has missed Liverpool's last five matches
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Swedish cult hero Stefan Schwarz believes Alexander Isak's fitness will cause problems for Arne Slot this season.
Isak's £125m move to Liverpool from Newcastle was one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer. The 26-year-old refused to play for Eddie Howe's team after accusing the Magpies of “broken promises.”
The Swedish international suffered a series of injuries during his time at Newcastle, with various groin and thigh issues ruling him out on multiple occasions.
However, the Echo reported earlier this season, via The Mirror, that Liverpool’s medical and sports science staff had conducted an in-depth review of Isak’s injury history. Only after receiving assurances that his record wouldn’t pose an issue did the club green-light the deal.
Isak spent a few weeks out of the Liverpool squad due to low fitness levels after missing pre-season. But his return was short-lived, with the striker suffering further groin pain. Schwarz believes this is the one thing Slot has to worry about.
Newcastle United's Alexander Isak sits on the turf after suffering an injury during the Premier League match against Aston Villa
Alexander Isak suffered a series of injuries at Newcastle United
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He told Hajper: “Alexander Isak is a fantastic player. The quality, the finishing, the movements, the intelligence on the pitch. He creates space for himself and others. The link-up play.
“But I believe there's one thing that worries me a little bit, is his fitness. Every club that he's been to or played for, he hasn't been able to continue week in and week out, it isn’t a new problem.
“That's probably the challenge Liverpool has — to get the best out of Isak. Because he's a tremendous player and I believe we know when he's playing he can do magical things.
“He has super finishing and it's very difficult for the opponents to know where he is. He's so clever, intelligent.
“But for me it's the fitness level. He has to play week in and week out to get that continuity to even improve and to get on a higher level.”
Isak played 28 minutes in Sweden's World Cup qualification match against Switzerland on Saturday. His national team are in action again tonight against Slovenia, giving Isak another chance to build fitness.
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