Isak’s Return: Fitness Concerns Emerge After Summer of Isolation Ahead of Liverpool Debut

Liverpool’s record-breaking new signing, Alexander Isak, has rejoined collective training with the Swedish national team, but concerns are being raised about his match fitness after a summer spent largely in isolation. While his spirits are reportedly high, Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has cautioned that the striker’s physical readiness is not yet at its peak following a protracted transfer saga that saw him miss Newcastle United’s pre-season.

A Summer of Uncertainty and Solo Training

Isak’s summer was anything but conventional. Publicly sidelined from Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia due to a “minor thigh injury,” the 25-year-old instead traveled to his former club, Real Sociedad, for individual training. Amid intense speculation surrounding his future, Isak reportedly declined requests to reintegrate into Newcastle’s squad, signaling his desire for a move.

During the tense negotiations between Liverpool and the Magpies, Isak’s training regimen, as reported by The Guardian, consisted largely of solitary drills – “thrashing shots into empty nets and passing balls off a rebound wall.” This less-than-rigorous preparation has inevitably led to questions about his match sharpness, particularly compared to his new Liverpool teammates who endured a full pre-season schedule.

High Spirits, Lower Fitness: Tomasson’s Assessment

Despite the fitness concerns, Isak’s return to the national team fold has been met with enthusiasm. “I saw him smiling, have you seen his face?” beamed Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson when speaking to reporters. “He is so happy to be here, he is so happy to play, so I think that tells you a lot. He really likes being in a group.”

However, Tomasson was quick to temper expectations regarding Isak’s immediate physical capabilities. “Of course his form is what I said the other day, normally in pre-season you play plenty of games, plenty of training but that is not the case. So is he able to play 90 minutes? Of course not,” he clarified. “Are we going to do stupid things with Alex? No, we are not going to do stupid things with Alex. So we, of course, have a plan but he is smiling and he is happy to be here.”

No Club Interference for Sweden Fixtures

Unlike many other European nations, Sweden’s World Cup qualifying campaign is just beginning. They face Slovenia on Friday evening, followed by another away fixture against Kosovo on Monday. The extent of Isak’s involvement in these matches remains to be seen, but Tomasson confirmed that Liverpool has not issued any instructions regarding his playing time, emphasizing the open communication between the national team and the club that just invested a staggering £125 million ($168.4 million) in the striker.

“No instruction [from Liverpool],” the Swedish boss confirmed. “We always have good connections with a lot of clubs, I have spoken to the manager. Our doctor has spoken to their doctor. Our physio Ben [Rosen] has spoken to their physio and the physical department at Liverpool. And normal communication we have with each club, it is quite honest.”

Anticipated Liverpool Debut and Key Fixtures

Isak is expected to make his highly anticipated debut for Liverpool in some capacity against Burnley on September 14. His first home game promises to be an electric Champions League encounter against Atlético Madrid, followed by the intense atmosphere of his first Merseyside derby at Anfield just three days later. These crucial fixtures will undoubtedly test Isak’s readiness and provide the first real glimpse of what the record signing can bring to Jürgen Klopp’s side.

For more on Isak’s transfer and Liverpool’s summer dealings, you can read the latest Liverpool news and transfer rumors.