Alexander Isak has declared that he feels in good nick ahead of a mammoth Premier League opener.
Newcastle United host Liverpool on August 23, with both sets of fans set to pay tribute to Kevin Keegan before kick-off. However, the kinship will soon fade once Isak makes his return to St James' Park.
The Swede will face a hostile reception on his first appearance on Tyneside since the controversial British record transfer last year. Previously adored as a Newcastle legend, Isak downed tools - refusing to train or play - to force through a Liverpool move.
His debut season was marred by injury - including a broken leg - and he received little sympathy from Toon fans. But with Mohamed Salah gone and Hugo Ekitike injured, there will be no hiding place for Isak in the upcoming campaign.
‘I feel good’ - Alexander Isak
He scored Liverpool’s opener in a 3-2 pre-season defeat to Monaco on Sunday. Speaking to their club website, Isak claimed that his fitness levels are improving as he builds to the Newcastle opener.
“I feel good,” he said. “Every game hopefully should take me to a better fitness level, so that's what I'm working towards.
“I think today felt better than (the) last game and hopefully the next game feels better than today. That's what pre-season is for - building - and that's what we have to keep doing.”
Alexander Isak on Andoni Iraola
On new Reds boss Andoni Iraola, Isak added: “Really good. I feel like the spirit is good in the group and we're all working hard to make things work. We're going to make sure that we're ready for the start.”