Alexander Isak expected to return to Liverpool training within weeks (Image: Nicky Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
It would be an understatement of epic proportions to suggest that this was not what Alexander Isak expected when he decided to move to Liverpool for £125 million. Few players have had it as tough as Britain’s most expensive footballer in history, in a season often marred by adversity at Anfield.
He made a transfer push rarely seen in modern football to secure his desired move from Newcastle United to the Premier League champions, but there was a perception within his new club that Isak, who had been away from his former club all summer, would need time to rediscover the standards expected of a striker who had only matched Mohamed Salah the previous season. The Sweden international established himself as one of the best forwards in English football during his time at Tyneside, scoring 54 goals in three seasons and 44 in his final two seasons.
A bespoke training program has been devised to try to get him as close to peak form as possible after missing pre-season before arriving on Merseyside, but the temporary break on international duty has complicated things for the Reds.
Although the club continued to have regular communication with Swedish physiotherapist Ben Rosen, Isak’s recovery was further hampered by a groin problem the following month, ahead of what could be a pivotal moment for him and Liverpool’s campaign. He broke his foot while hitting the net in a game against Tottenham in December.
Isak has been sidelined since then and is not expected to return to the Reds until early next month, but amid speculation over whether he will be selected for nationals this month, manager Arne Slott, speaking on Friday, admitted that expectations about the striker’s immediate return to the standard that would justify his £125m valuation should be managed.
“If you ask me now, I would say that I have no expectations (for Isak to represent Sweden),” the head coach said.
“But we still have a week and a half off and there is always cooperation between club and country, but I don’t expect him to play for us by then.
“He’s got to mess up the party again. Let’s say (he) comes back at the beginning of April. He was out for three-and-a-half months and didn’t train with the team for three-and-a-half months. The last time he did that, it took him a while to get back into shape.”
“I’m really, really looking forward to him coming back, but don’t get your hopes up again so much that the moment he steps on the field, it’s going to be at the same level that we spent that money on.”
On Friday, Arne Slott was asked about Isak’s return to fitness. (Image: Getty)
If the absence of such a talented striker wasn’t enough for a beleaguered manager like Slott, it has resulted in an over-reliance on Hugo Ekitike, the only recognized senior centre-forward in the squad.
While Liverpool have focused on the French international’s conditioning and ability to ensure he performs at his best for 90 minutes in a demanding and physically demanding league like the Premier League, there is no denying that the lack of reliable replacements has had a negative impact on results.
“A lot of times we felt like we were out there and other guys getting hurt and other guys getting hurt doesn’t help the team. We always felt like we had to do it with 12 or 13 guys,” Slott said.
“It’s always a boost for a team to have everyone available. Look at the recent PSG game (against Chelsea). Hviča Kvaratscheria came on about 30 minutes into the game and scored twice.
“I think Josep Guardiola said the same thing: this is a very tough league, there is no winter break, there are so many games, how important it is to get the players available.
“I don’t think there have been many clubs in the history of this league who have had so many injuries and still performed as well as expected. It’s more difficult in this league than in any other league in the world because there are so many matches at a high level. Manchester City last season was an example of that.”
The end of the tunnel may be in sight for Isak, but it will only be at the start of next season that the Reds will truly be in possession of the £125m forward again.
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