Alexander Isak has pledged to "fight" his way back to the form that earned him a £125million move to Liverpool at the beginning of September. The most expensive player in British football history insists he isn't experiencing the most challenging period of his career.
Isak's switch to Merseyside followed a protracted summer saga that saw him boycott Newcastle's Far East pre-season tour before training on his own at former club Real Sociedad's facilities without Eddie Howe's consent. The striker was completely absent from Newcastle's pre-season preparations due to his bitter exit from the North East.
This meant he wasn't at peak fitness when he sealed his blockbuster transfer to Anfield on deadline day.
The 26-year-old, who also endured a groin problem in October that ruled him out for four weeks, has managed just one Premier League goal for Liverpool - in their 2-0 win over West Ham last month.
Currently, he appears a shadow of the player who terrorised defences at Newcastle, where he netted 23 goals last term.
Despite his struggles, Isak claimed the 2025 Guldbollen award in Sweden following his performances for club and country throughout the calendar year.
Speaking to Sportbladet in his native Sweden, he has vowed to return to the standards that established him as one of the Premier League's most feared marksmen before his summer departure. "[Liverpool's interest] was the most interesting thing for me," Isak revealed.
"I felt quite early on that this was where I wanted to go. An overall picture. The club's history, where the club is today and the next step it will take.
"I don't really have the answer to that (why it's been slow). The team - of course it has been slow, but that's how it is in football. There are always teams that fly, and then it goes slower for others. It is important to turn it around.
"And for my part too, it's not the first time in my career that I've gone through a period like this, or I'm in bad shape. That's how a football career works, it's just something you have to fight your way out of."
The striker continued: "I don't know [what period has been toughest so far]. I wouldn't pick any one, it's all experience. Good, bad.
"And I've had tougher periods in every team I've been in, except for the loan in Holland (Willem II). In Dortmund, in Spain, in Newcastle and here.
"I'm not too focused on just that, on where it's been the toughest. I see it as experiences that hopefully make me come out on the other side as a better person and player.
"We football players live in a different world than on the outside. We don't reflect so much, we don't judge so much.
"I don't judge so much during the season, that also applies when everything is flowing. It's about evaluating after the season, there's no need to think so much in the meantime.
"I want to be able to look back on my football career and be proud of what I have achieved. Not only on the pitch, but experiences from the countries I have played in."
Isak may feature when Tottenham welcome Liverpool in Saturday evening's Premier League clash.
The Reds will be targeting a sixth consecutive match without defeat across all competitions.