Alexander Isak is “not at his absolute maximum,” Sweden manager Graham Potter has admitted, but he will “get stronger and stronger as the tournament goes” on.
Since heading off on international duty with Sweden, Isak has started to look more like the player Liverpool signed from Newcastle.
After scoring against Norway in a warm-up match, the 26-year-old followed it up with a similar strike in the 5-1 win over Tunisia that kicked off their World Cup campaign.
Next up for Sweden is a match on Saturday, June 20 against the Netherlands, as Isak faces Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo.
The No. 9 should again start alongside Arsenal‘s Viktor Gyokeres up front, but coach Potter has admitted Isak is still not at the very top of his game.
Sweden's Alexander Bernhardsson, Sweden's Benjamin Nygren (10) and Sweden's Alexander Isak (9) celebrate with Sweden's Viktor Gyokeres (17) after he scored to put Sweden up, 3-1, during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Sofia Yaker)
Asked if missing games for Liverpool could mean Isak is fresher for Sweden, Potter replied: “I think you have to take every player and assess them in their own way.
“Like you said, there’s a different game load for every player. Alex has had a season that has been interrupted.
“Most footballers would probably say they need a certain amount of time and games to get up to top, top level, so we’ve had to try to build Alex up.
“I think there’s more to come from him. He’s not at that place where he’s at his absolute maximum, but obviously with the quality he has and the type of player he is, he can still influence the game.
“I think he’ll get stronger and stronger as the tournament goes and that’s where our work is, to try and help him get stronger and stronger, better and better.
“If he’s enjoying his football, that’s the most important thing I think with Alex. I think he likes being in the team, he likes being with the players, he likes being part of the national team.
“He enjoys it, he plays with a smile on his face, and if we do that then he’s fantastic.”
Isak’s struggle for form at Liverpool
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
As we all know, Isak didn’t exactly live up to the £125 million fee Liverpool spent last summer.
That isn’t all his fault – a broken leg halfway through the campaign didn’t help – but even when Isak was on the pitch, he looked far from sharp.
Potter isn’t worried about the striker, though, explaining: “You have to find a way of learning about each other. How are they going to play and fit in?
“OK, Alex Isak playing for Newcastle, he does this, but how does he adapt to what Liverpool want him to do?
“The player doesn’t change. His quality doesn’t change. He’s still a top, top, top player.
“It is just how they interact as a team together, andd if you make a lot of changes, it can take a bit of time.
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak features in his first appearance since January during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at the Parc des Princes. PSG won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Unfortunately, sometimes at the big clubs, the big change means big pressure and expectation – and then expectation vs. reality.
“As soon as that gap starts to become too big, you can have problems.
“His injuries have been disappointing but I know him. He’s a great, great lad; he wants to play football and wants to help his team.
“Sometimes everybody’s career can go up and down, but the quality of the person and the quality of the player is undeniable.”
Sweden vs. Netherlands kicks off at 6pm (BST) on Saturday, June 20, with UK television coverage to be broadcast on BBC One.