Andoni Iraola is optimistic about Alexander Isak’s physical condition, saying he is “in a good place” and will be “massive” for Liverpool this season.
After signing for £125 million, Isak never really got going last season.
Having not trained properly with Newcastle over the summer in order to force the move to Merseyside, the striker wasn’t close to full fitness for a long time.
Then, when he did look to be getting going, he broke his leg. Even after he returned in April, he struggled to put together a run of games, missing three of the campaign’s last four outings.
Things are thankfully now beginning to look up for the 26-year-old, with new coach Iraola explaining: “I think he has come in a good place.
“I think he was good in the World Cup. I saw him comfortable. First training [sessions] here, I think I’ve seen a good version of Alex.
“Still it’s very early because he has just started training, but I hope he can have some minutes against Leeds and build properly a proper pre-season.
“It’s not going to be very long but he will have three or four weeks of quality training, I hope, and we can put him in a good place because he is going to be massive for us this season.”
A promising World Cup from Alexander Isak
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)
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)
As Iraola mentioned, Isak did look better on the international stage over the summer; he played almost every minute of Sweden’s four World Cup matches in a role that saw him sometimes dropping deeper than he usually would for Liverpool.
Some of his agility and acceleration seemed to be back, helping him score once and provide three assists at the tournament. He also scored a great goal in a warm-up match against Norway.
With Hugo Ekitike unlikely to be fully fit for maybe an entire year, it is essential that Liverpool are careful with Isak and manage him over pre-season.
Given Jayden Danns’ injury problems and the obvious drop-off when Federico Chiesa fills in up front, Liverpool could really do with their record signing getting off to a good start.
And where better to kickstart the season than at St James’ Park, against old club Newcastle?
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)
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)
Having met with his teammates in Chicago last season, Isak should get his first minutes of action when the Reds face Leeds on Sunday evening.
While he isn’t expected to play for long, Iraola has said it will be a chance for Isak, Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch to get on the pitch.
That would leave just Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Alisson and Alexis Mac Allister, of Liverpool’s uninjured senior squad, yet to feature in a friendly.
Alisson and Mac Allister are still on holiday, but the Dutch duo of Gakpo and Van Dijk are back in Kirkby, awaiting the squad’s return from the USA.
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool USA Tour Day 11 – Liverpool Press Conference
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool USA Tour Day 11 – Liverpool Press Conference
Wirtz, Iraola circle collage
Wirtz, Iraola circle collage
2026-07-22-070-Liverpool_Pre-Season_Day_3
CHICAGO, USA - Wednesday, July 22, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez departs the team hotel for an afternoon training session in Chicago ahead of the start of the club's pre-season tour of America. The team play friendly games in Nashville, New York and Chicago as they prepare for the start of the new 2026/27 Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)