Nacho Monreal has spoken about the situation of his former Real Sociedad team-mate Alexander Isak at Liverpool
Alexander Isak of Liverpool
Alexander Isak of Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Alexander Isak has been backed to become "very important" for Liverpool next season after a dismal debut campaign at Anfield.
Isak scored just four goals in 22 appearances - only 13 of which were as a starter - since making a contentious £125million British record transfer from Newcastle United last September.
The 26-year-old arrived at the Reds unfit and then suffered a groin problem before being sidelined for three months with a broken leg, after which he made only six appearances before ending the campaign nursing another injury concern.
The striker will now link up with Sweden for the forthcoming World Cup in which his country face Tunisia, Holland and Japan during the opening group stage.
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And Nacho Monreal, who played alongside Isak at Real Sociedad, believes his former team-mate was affected by the controversy over his move to Liverpool.
“Of course, it has been a difficult season for Isak," he said. "First of all, he wasn't a part of the pre-season at either Liverpool or Newcastle. There were a lot of rumours about him and this kind of situation affects the player.
“Liverpool paid a lot of money so they were putting a lot of pressure on Isak as well. In the beginning of the season it was really not easy for him and then he got injured. But what he did for Newcastle was amazing, we all know how many goals he scored.
"I think he will be very important for Liverpool in the future. I know, in football we want to see the players perform from day one but I am 100% sure he will score a lot of goals next season."
Speaking to Rekatochklart, Monreal added: "He has so many qualities. He is a good finisher and we saw all his qualities at Newcastle, so he will bounce back, 100%.
“If he gets a good start to the next season and gets some confidence, he will improve. When he scores his first goal next season, from there it will continue. When it rains, it pours and when he starts scoring goals he will continue scoring goals.”
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