Andoni Iraola wants Alexander Isak to do more than score goals this season. As per the latest Liverpool news, the coach wants his striker creating space for team mates too.
Iraola wants more than just goals from Alexander Isak
Isak is now the only fit senior striker at the club. Hugo Ekitike is still out after ankle surgery and is not expected back until closer to the turn of the year, and Mohamed Salah has left the club this summer. As reported by ESPN, this puts more weight on Isak going into the new campaign. Iraola said the striker has trained every single day and has not missed a session all summer. He also pointed to Isak’s four appearances for Sweden at the World Cup as proof that his fitness levels are finally where the club needs them.
Even so, goals are not the only thing on his mind. Iraola said his main work with Isak is about his movement without the ball. He wants the striker to open space for others, not just chase his own goal count. That could mean dropping deeper to drag defenders out of position, creating room for runners like Wirtz to exploit.
Wirtz has moved back into a central role after playing wide last season under former manager Arne Slot. Isak scored four goals in 22 appearances last season, while Wirtz finished with seven goals and 10 assists in all competitions, yet the pair combined for a goal only once, when Wirtz set up Isak’s strike at Tottenham in December. Building a stronger understanding between them looks central to how the Reds attack this season.
Isak’s stats for the 2025-26 season at Liverpool, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Goals Assists
Premier League 14 3 1
EFL Cup 1 1 0
UCL 7 0 0
A tense return to Newcastle
Liverpool’s trip to face Isak’s old club Newcastle carried real weight going into the new season. He forced his way out of the club last summer after a long standoff, so fans there were never going to welcome him warmly. Iraola tried to keep things calm when asked about the game beforehand. He compared it to his own return to former club Bournemouth, saying it always feels special to face a team you once played for. He added that every player tends to feel extra motivation on the opening weekend.
Isak went into the game having scored just four goals in 22 appearances last term, so his fitness and sharpness in front of goal were always going to be under close watch at St James’ Park. How he handled that occasion, and the reception waiting for him there, said plenty about where his second season in the Premier League was heading.
Gakpo offers cover in attack
Liverpool have focused on adding wide players in the transfer market this summer, rather than buying a new striker. A bid worth £60 million for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh was turned down, and the club could return with an improved offer before the deadline. That leaves Cody Gakpo as the likely backup if Alexander Isak needs rest or picks up an injury. Gakpo has played as a central striker before under former boss Jurgen Klopp, a role many wide players are asked to fill in modern football when squads are stretched thin.
Iraola said Gakpo has not trained in that role this summer, since the squad lacks enough wide players right now. Still, the coach has already spoken to Gakpo about playing as a nine again if the team needs him there later this season, particularly if injuries pile up across a congested fixture list.
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