Alexander Isak is part of Sweden's World Cup squad and will be part of their last-32 fixture against France on Tuesday
Alexander Isak looks on
Alexander Isak faces France in the last-32 of the World Cup(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
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Vladimir Smicer believes a last-32 exit for Sweden exit at the World Cup would ultimately benefit Liverpool as they look to get more from £125m striker Alexander Isak this coming season.
The Reds made Isak the most expensive player in British football history when they signed him from Newcastle United on September 1 last year but the No.9 struggled with fitness across the entirety of his maiden Merseyside term.
Arriving at Anfield having had no pre-season programme, due to the nature of his protracted and controversial move from Newcastle, where he effectively went on strike, Isak was playing catch-up and was dogged by fitness problems before a leg break in December sidelined him for four months.
Isak has scored one goal and created three assists at the World Cup so far for Graham Potter's men, who will be in action against France in the last 32 on Tuesday evening in New York.
But Smicer, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, thinks a return to club duty would be a massive boost for the Reds in their attempts to get their big-money striker up to speed for Andoni Iraola's first year as head coach.
"To be honest, I'd prefer if Alexander Isak wasn't playing in the World Cup," Smicer told Casinostugan. "He should have two or three weeks rest after the season and then start a six-week preparation for next season.
"I think that's what he was missing this season: being fit for Liverpool. Even when he came back, he injured himself again.
"It was a catch-up season for him. I'm not sure. He probably had a little rest after the season and then started his training camp with Sweden before the World Cup
"Maybe the training camp helps him a little bit, but I don't think he'll be 100% fit [at] the World Cup.
"The advantage is that he'd be fresh because his body is not tired, but I don't know if his body is ready for a hundred percent effort. I hope so, but I don't believe it.
"From a Liverpool perspective, I’d prefer Sweden to go out quickly. Then he can have a rest and join the Liverpool training camp before the season.
"On the other hand, I would like to see him scoring goals because I still believe we bought the right player and he will score many goals for Liverpool."
Smicer added: "I'm not sure about his fitness and I hope he will not get injured in the World Cup. I pray he will be okay and have a good World Cup for his confidence.
"It's difficult because all the players going far in the World Cup won't have a lot of pre-season training sessions, which is a worry. They won't have a lot of pre-season training sessions, so that's a little bit worrying.
"Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres would be a good partnership. I don't know the system Sweden will play under Graham Potter, but it's a pity if one of them is on the bench. You can use them both.
"I still think Isak is a little bit better than Gyokeres, but they are different types of players. But being different means they can play together."
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