Liverpool supporters are still waiting to see the best of Alexander Isak following his deadline-day move to Anfield — and they’ve been cautioned that it may take a while before the 26-year-old reaches peak condition.
The Swedish forward has been easing into action over his first five weeks with the Reds, effectively in a pre-season phase after refusing to train or play for Newcastle during the summer in order to push through his transfer to the Premier League champions.
So far, Isak has scored just once in 312 minutes for Liverpool, though he impressed with a clever assist for Cody Gakpo’s equaliser in the 2-1 loss to Chelsea last weekend. His national team coach, Jon Dahl Tomasson, has expressed satisfaction with the striker’s gradual improvement in fitness.
Isak may not be fully sharp until winter
Liverpool journalist Lewis Steele shared in a YouTube update that insiders believe Isak won’t reach full match sharpness until the winter period.
He explained: “The road to full fitness is a bit longer than expected. Reports from Newcastle suggest it could take up to three months before he’s completely there — and that sounds about right. He’s been with Liverpool for around five weeks now, so we might still be a few weeks away from seeing him at his best.
“There have been flashes — that lovely assist against Chelsea and his goal versus Southampton — but his fitness journey has been a little tougher than Arne Slot or I predicted. Still, once he gains confidence, things should click into place.”
Patience will be key for Liverpool fans
Isak’s lack of pre-season preparation has clearly slowed his start at Anfield, but the international break could be a good opportunity for him to build up more minutes with Sweden.
The £125m signing has yet to complete a full game for Liverpool, with Slot carefully managing his involvement. However, staying on past the 70-minute mark in the last two league matches suggests he’s edging closer to full match readiness.
According to Steele, we might not see Isak firing on all cylinders until after the November internationals — just in time for the demanding winter fixture schedule.
Liverpool fans will need to stay patient as the striker works toward his best form. While his price tag naturally brings high expectations, the signs of progress are there. With luck and no injury setbacks, Isak looks set to reward the club’s record investment in due course.
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