Alexander Isak has endured a frustrating start to his Liverpool career following his record-breaking £125million move from Newcastle United on transfer deadline day
Alexander Isak has voiced his frustration over his season being marred by injury after his record-breaking £125m transfer to Liverpool. The striker pushed for a move from Newcastle United on the final day of the transfer window, but things haven’t gone as planned.
The Swedish international spent most of the summer training alone and didn’t play for the Magpies during pre-season or at the start of the Premier League season. As a result, he was playing catch-up after his early September move to Anfield.
Isak’s start at Liverpool has been slow, with just one goal in his first eight appearances for the club. However, his progress was interrupted by a groin injury last month when he had to be substituted at half-time during Liverpool’s 5-1 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
He subsequently missed Liverpool’s next four matches before being left on the bench in the Reds’ 3-0 loss to Manchester City ahead of the current international break. The 26-year-old made his return from injury for Sweden in their World Cup qualifier on Saturday night.
Despite coming on as a substitute in the 62nd minute, he couldn’t stop his country from suffering a 4-1 defeat away to Switzerland, leaving them at the bottom of their qualification group. Following the defeat, Isak provided an update on his recovery from injury and is keen to get back to form for both club and country.
“It was about half an hour. It felt okay,” he told Sportbladet. “I feel like the reaction was good after the match in my body.
“Hopefully I can play properly in the next match (against Slovenia on Tuesday). It’s always frustrating when you’re injured.
“Regardless of whether it’s one match or more. It’s always worst for the player himself.
“It hasn’t been optimal. But when I’m on the field, I don’t give myself any excuses. I always want to play my game and perform.
“But yes, it’s hard to be away and not be able to help and contribute. Now I’m back and I’m positive.
“There’s not much that’s easy in football. But with experience you learn to deal with things. That’s how it is with injuries and all that. You learn to deal with it and get back on track the right way.”
In the meantime, Sweden manager Graham Potter disclosed during his own post-match media conference that he intends to grant Isak more substantial game time against Slovenia after his return from injury.
“The plan was for Isak to play 30 minutes,” he explained.
“It wasn’t an easy position in the game to get into. Hopefully, we’ll see more of him on Tuesday. The plan is for him to play more against Slovenia.”