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Reds star Alexander Isak is still some way off full fitness, nearly a month after his record move from St James' Park to Liverpool.
The striker left Newcastle in a less than ideal state of match readiness, having declined to participate in pre-season or accompany the team on their Far East tour in order to facilitate his transfer to Liverpool.
Isak netted his first goal for the Reds against Southampton during the Carabao Cup third round, celebrating with his customary thumbs-up gesture. However, just before half-time, he was summoned back onto the pitch for additional running to boost his fitness data. This was a new experience for the forward, who told Sky Sports: "It's a new one on me."
When ITV enquired about his fitness level, Isak responded: "It's difficult to say. I think it's a mixture of fitness-wise and also football-wise. I feel good, I feel like I'm in a shape to at least make a difference.
"I feel good, I feel good. I think with every game I play it's very helpful and gets me in better shape. I'm just getting more and more ready."
Newcastle staff were concerned that Isak's fitness levels would decline, putting him in a race against time to be fully fit for the new season.
Eddie Howe's most recent comments on Isak's fitness in August were: "Alex had been working individually with our sports science department and they have been getting him fit.
"But in terms of how match fit he is, and what he's actually done, it is difficult to judge. Match fitness is very different."
Howe has since confessed that his rapport with Isak suffered a blow, stating: "The moment he went on strike our relationship did change and that was probably a turning point in our relationship.
"I loved working with him. I hope he enjoyed working with us.
"It was mutually beneficial. We helped him become the player he in part is today and he helped us as a team achieve some unbelievable milestones and was part of a very successful team."
Isak is set to make his first Liverpool start in the Premier League against Crystal Palace after Hugo Ekitike's dismissal against Southampton.
The striker was shown a second yellow card after taking his shirt off in celebration after scoring the winner.
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