Alexander Isak has scored one goal and provided three assists for Sweden at the World Cup, but former Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer believes the Reds would benefit from an early exit for the Scandinavians ahead of next season
Paul Gorst Liverpool FC correspondent
12:47, 28 Jun 2026
Alexander Isak is currently at the World Cup with Sweden
Alexander Isak is currently at the World Cup with Sweden(Image: Getty Images)
Vladimir Smicer reckons an early departure for Sweden at the World Cup would ultimately prove beneficial for Liverpool, as the Reds seek to extract greater value from their £125 million ($165 million) striker Alexander Isak during the upcoming campaign.
The Merseysiders made Isak British soccer's most expensive player when they secured his signature from Newcastle last September, but the No. 9 endured persistent fitness issues throughout his debut season at Anfield.
Having arrived at Liverpool without any pre-season preparation, owing to the circumstances of his drawn-out and contentious transfer from Newcastle, where he effectively downed tools, Isak found himself constantly playing catch-up and was plagued by fitness concerns before a broken leg in December ruled him out for four months.
Isak has netted once and provided three assists at the World Cup thus far for Graham Potter's team, which faces France in the last 32 on Tuesday in New York.
However, Smicer, who lifted the Champions League trophy with Liverpool in 2005, believes an early return to club duties would represent a significant advantage for the Reds in their efforts to bring their expensive forward up to full match sharpness ahead of Andoni Iraola's inaugural 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.
Isak endured a tough first season at Liverpool
Isak endured a tough first season at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
"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 percent 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.
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"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."