Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has insisted that Alexander Isak’s Liverpool career “starts now,” as the Sweden international reaches full fitness following a disrupted start to life at Anfield.
The £125million signing, the most expensive in British football history, has endured a challenging few months since leaving Newcastle United. His delayed arrival left him absent for Liverpool’s pre-season, after being sidelined by the Magpies while pushing for the move, forcing him to play catch-up in terms of both fitness and tactical integration into Slot’s high-intensity system.
Since completing his high-profile transfer at the end of the summer window, Isak has been carefully eased into Liverpool’s first team. The 26-year-old has made six appearances across all competitions four starts and two as a substitute totalling 313 minutes on the pitch.
His only goal came in a Carabao Cup win over Southampton, while during the recent international break, he added 198 minutes for Sweden in World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Kosovo, but failed score in either game.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with rivals Manchester United at Anfield, Slot made it clear that the striker has now reached the fitness level he expects and can finally be assessed fairly.
“Now he has had his five, six weeks of pre-season which is normal for every player, especially if you have been out for three or four months,” Slot said. “Fitness-wise he is close to the level he should be and we can judge him in a fair way from now on.
“I know how this industry works if he plays for Sweden twice and doesn’t score, that’s not what you’re hoping for, of course. You are hoping if they go to the national team they score goals like Cody (Gakpo) did, like Virgil (van Dijk) did, like Dominik (Szoboszlai) did, like (Alexis) Mac Allister did but he didn’t. His pre-season has finished now. He has played a few games, 70, 80, 90 minutes, so let’s see where he is in the upcoming weeks.”
Isak’s slow introduction has mirrored Liverpool’s early-season struggles. The Reds have suffered three consecutive defeats and have conceded goals from areas they would normally defend comfortably. Slot has been candid about the defensive frailties and tactical issues that have hampered his side, particularly the volume of crosses allowed from open play.
“As a group, there are clearly problems to solve,” Slot admitted. “I’m still far from happy with the number of goals we’ve conceded and the number of crosses we’ve allowed from open play. We’re looking for answers in that area, particularly as goals have been harder to come by recently.”
The stakes for Isak are considerable. With a record-breaking price tag and the weight of national expectations, every performance has been scrutinised. Yet Slot remains confident that the striker has the quality to justify the transfer fee, particularly as he is now fully integrated into Liverpool’s tactical framework.
The Swedish forward is set to compete with Hugo Ekitike for the central striker role against Manchester United, a choice Slot will make based on form, fitness, and the defensive weaknesses he hopes each player can exploit. The hope is that Isak, now familiar with Liverpool’s attacking patterns, can start delivering the goals and performances the club invested heavily to secure.
“His pre-season is done,” Slot emphasised. “He’s up to speed now so let’s see what comes next.”
Liverpool’s issues in front of goal have been a recurring theme this season. While Mohamed Salah hasn’t maintained his usual high standards, the team has lacked consistent support from other attacking outlets. The addition of Isak was intended to ease that burden and provide a focal point in the centre, but the delayed start has meant the early weeks have felt like a prolonged wait for supporters.
Slot is realistic, however, that Isak’s inclusion alone will not transform Liverpool overnight. Defensive shortcomings and general cohesion issues remain, and it may take time for the side to stabilise. But the head coach believes that a fully fit Isak could provide the spark needed to change games, offering the cutting edge Liverpool has been missing in key moments this season.
For supporters, the wait is finally over. After months of speculation, frustration, and anticipation, Alexander Isak now has the platform to prove why Liverpool broke the British transfer record to bring him to Anfield. Slot’s message is unequivocal: the warm-up is complete. The real Liverpool chapter for Isak begins this weekend and eyes across Anfield will be fixed on the striker to see if he is ready to deliver.
