Alexander Isak has spoken about his first season with Liverpool and the challenge of working his way back from a broken leg which he sustained against Tottenham in December
16:27, 29 May 2026
Sweden striker Alexander Isak during a press conference.
Sweden striker Alexander Isak during a press conference.(Image: Pontus LUNDAHL / TT News Agency / AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak says breaking his leg in December was a "scary experience" — but he has insisted he will be fine to represent Sweden at the World Cup.
Isak has so far only made 22 appearances for Liverpool after a $169 million (£125 million) transfer move from Newcastle last summer. He wasn't match fit when he arrived, then picked up the injury against Tottenham just before Christmas, and has never really recovered from being absent from last year's pre-season.
"It was a pain, it wasn’t fun," the 26-year-old said of his leg break during a Sweden press conference. "I’ve had some muscle injuries before, but this was my first surgery.
"It was a bit of a scary experience. It has been a challenge with a lot of rehab. It’s the most boring thing in football. Doing a lot of it is not fun."
Isak expects to feature for his country against Norway (June 1) and Greece (June 4) ahead of the World Cup kicking off, even though he was an unused substitute for Liverpool on the final day of the Premier League season.
"Absolutely, I’m fine," Isak promised when he was then asked about Sweden's opening fixture against Tunisia on June 15.
"I’ve had some injury concerns as you know. The most important thing is that I’m in good shape for the World Cup premiere. There’s a little while left so I can work on that."
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 24: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak of Liverpool arriving before the Premier League match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield on May 24, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Alexander Isak's first season at Liverpool didn't go according to plan(Image: Getty Images)
Since the end of April, Isak has played just 23 minutes of competitive action under Arne Slot. Alongside another big-money addition, Florian Wirtz, much more is expected of him in his second campaign at Anfield.
When the World Cup is out of the way, he will be able to fully focus on getting properly fit ahead of the new season.
"Of course, it has been a difficult season for Isak," his former teammate at Real Sociedad, Nacho Monreal, told Rekatochklart this week.
"First of all, he wasn't a part of the pre-season at either Liverpool or Newcastle. There were a lot of rumors about him and this kind of situation affects the player.
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"Liverpool paid a lot of money so they were putting a lot of pressure on Isak as well. In the beginning of the season it was really not easy for him and then he got injured. But what he did for Newcastle was amazing; we all know how many goals he scored.
"I think he will be very important for Liverpool in the future. I know, in football we want to see the players perform from day one, but I am 100 per cent sure he will score a lot of goals next season."
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Liverpool.com says: Should Isak get back fit again over the summer, he will score plenty of goals next season. His quality is undeniable and he is already Premier League-proven.
Having essentially missed a whole season, though, and with Hugo Ekitike out, there will be pressure on his shoulders to perform. He will also have more help next year from out wide, with Yan Diomande among those under consideration.