Liverpool warned of Alexander Isak pre-season reality following World Cup exit
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesAlexander IsakAlexander Isak was involved for Sweden at the World Cup and their manager, Graham Potter, has fired a warning for Liverpool fans over his fitness levels.Alexander Isak at the World Cup(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)Alexander Isak is still "a few games away" from reaching his peak ahead of pre-season preparations for Liverpool.The Swedish striker endured a miserable campaign for his club last term and started only 13 matches following his near-$170million switch from Newcastle last summer in what was a relatively long drawn out transfer saga.But for the first time in a long time the 26-year-old looked close to his best on the World Cup stage as he started all four of his side's fixtures as Sweden reached the round of 32 before ultimately being bulldozed by a France side led by Kylian Mbappe.Despite Isak and his nation being knocked out of the tournament, the forward can look towards pre-season with his club again and working with new manager Andoni Iraola with a full training schedule planned.But Sweden boss Graham Potter has warned Reds' supporters that their attacker is not yet fully up to match fitness even if he is closing in on the sort of standards he previously held."When you lose, it’s easy to point to the players and say ‘they could have done this and that’,” Potter told TV4. It wasn’t easy.“[Isak] didn’t have the season he and everyone wanted him to have.
He’s built himself up and he’s still a few games away from his peak physically. That’s what’s needed after a season like that.”Alexander Isak at the World Cup(Image: Getty)Isak found the back of the net for Sweden in their 5-1 mauling of Tunisia when he also chipped in with two assists in that game.
It was an impressive showing from the Liverpool man and the sort of performance he lacked last season. He also provided the only assist for his country as they were swept aside by the Netherlands.Boss Iraola will be expected to get the best out of the frontman who scored 62 times in 109 outings for Newcastle which earned him his big-money move to Anfield.He will be on the flight with his teammates in a few weeks' time when Liverpool travels to the USA for their pre-season training camp.Isak will carry a lot of expectation this year having struggled for form previously and he may have to bear a lot of the attacking demand on his shoulders with Hugo Ekitike missing.The Frenchman suffered a brutal Achilles injury last term and, at this moment in time, there is no concrete date for his return.There are also questions regarding the futures of Federico Chiesa and Tottenham Hotspur-linked Cody Gakpo.Liverpool therefore need reinforcements in an attacking sense and Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is one player on their radar.RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande was also an option for the Anfield giants but the Ivorian appears to have chosen a move to PSG over the Premier League.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Alexander IsakFIFA World CupLiverpool FC