Alexander Isak has struggled to get fully going since joining Liverpool on transfer deadline day.
The former Newcastle star has been desperately trying to get himself up to speed after missing the full pre-season schedule.
While Liverpool are yet to see the best of Isak, though, there have been signs recently that the Swede is beginning to settle in properly.
He registered his first assist last time out against Chelsea, and the 26-year-old made another step forward on Friday night, completing 90 minutes for the first time since May.
Unfortunately for Isak, it was another defeat on the pitch, as Sweden continued a miserable World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 home loss against Switzerland.
Predictably, the result has been met with huge disappointment in Sweden. However, with Liverpool’s No. 9 wearing the captain’s armband, he was spared most of the fume and was actually given a positive write-up following the game.
Alexander Isak looking sharp for Sweden
While Newcastle fans are delighting in Isak being yet to score a Premier League goal for Liverpool, he is quietly starting to show his best again.
That seemingly continued in his home town of Solna, Stockholm on Friday, as he put in a spirited performance against the Swiss.
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Expressen were particularly glowing in their assessment of Isak, claiming that the Liverpool star was ‘quick in the flesh – and in the head.’
Given the fitness concerns currently surrounding Isak, that is the kind of verdict Reds fans should be delighted to hear. They do note that the striker visibly tired towards the end of the match, though.
As Fotboll Skanlen also notes, Isak was unlucky not to have created a goal for his team as well.
He ran half the length of the field before putting a chance on a plate for Lucas Bergvall, but unfortunately the Tottenham midfielder could not apply the finish.
Isak was also unlucky himself, striking the post during the second-half. That goal is coming, but for now, encouraging to hear his sharpness is returning.
Isak now fully ready for Liverpool career
Arne Slot recently suggested that it would only be after the October international break that Isak would have completed his ‘pre-season.’
Judging by Expressen’s positive review of his fitness, that looks like being an astute prediction from the Liverpool head coach.
A full 90 in the tank will hopefully be followed up by a little less playing time during Sweden’s next match, but as long as Isak shows no ill-effects, he should then be ready to contribute fully back at Liverpool.
So far, we have only seen glimpses into how Slot plans to use Isak alongside Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah in the Liverpool attack.
With the hand break now ready to be released, we should start to get a proper idea of what the Reds’ attack is being designed to look like.
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