2 weeks ago
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Arne Slot has said Alexander Isak is finally back up to full fitness following a disjointed start to the season.
The Liverpool striker joined the club on transfer deadline day for a British record fee of £125million ($168M) but lacked the sharpness needed to immediately be assimilated into the team. Isak was essentially banished from the Newcastle United squad after attempting to force through a transfer to Liverpool, hence, he arrived at Anfield severely lacking fitness.
Isak has been built up slowly over recent weeks at both club and international level. The 25-year-old started the last two Premier League matches before the international break and then played 90 minutes twice for Sweden over the last 10 days.
Therefore, for the first time since his move to Liverpool, Slot feels the striker is now fully up to speed.
“He has had five or six weeks of pre-season, which is normal for every player, especially if you have been out for three or four months,” said the Liverpool head coach.
“Fitness-wise, I think he is close to the level he should be. I think we can judge him in a fair way from now on.”
It wasn’t a successful international break for Isak, though. Sweden lost both games, resulting in coach Jon Dahl Tomasson being sacked and all but ending the side’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
For Isak, he also failed to find the back of the net in the double header against Switzerland and Kosovo.
“I know how this industry works; if he plays there twice and doesn’t score then that’s not what you’re hoping for,” said Slot.
“You’re hoping if he goes to the national team that he will score like Cody [Gakpo] did, like Virgil [van Dijk] did, like Dominik [Szoboszlai] did and [Alexis] Mac Allister.
“He [Isak] didn’t, but I think his pre-season is maybe finished now. He played a few games, 70,80, 90 minutes. So let’s see where he is in the upcoming weeks.”
Isak has scored just once from his six Liverpool appearances this season, although two of those came as a substitute and he is yet to play a full 90 minutes for the Reds.
The Swede provided an assist against Chelsea last time out and will hope to take advantage of Manchester United’s brittle defense this weekend.
Meanwhile, Slot also confirmed Ryan Gravenberch is completely fine to face the Red Devils on Sunday following the knock he sustained while playing for the Netherlands. Ibrahima Konate, who withdrew from the France squad due to a thigh injury, is also back in training, the Liverpool head coach revealed.
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