Eddie Howe sends Alexander Isak warning to Liverpool after debut plan revealed

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Alexander Isak looks on during the warm up before a World Cup qualifier between Slovenia and Sweden(Image: Getty Images)

Alexander Isak could be in line to make his debut for Liverpool this weekend when the Reds travel to Burnley, but Eddie Howe has sent a warning regarding his former striker.

The Swede left Newcastle United in a British record £125m deal on transfer deadline day, bringing an end to a summer-long saga.

The 25-year-old made his first appearance since the final day of last season during the September international break, featuring for the final 18 minutes as a substitute in Sweden’s 2-0 loss to Kosovo.

Having been determined to leave Newcastle during the summer, Isak missed their pre-season clash with Celtic before skipping their tour of the Far East.

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He then trained alone, away from the group, following the Magpies’ return to Tyneside - having trained on an individual basis at former club, Real Sociedad, while his team-mates were away in Asia.

The Chronicle reports that Newcastle staff had concerns regarding Isak’s fitness levels as a result, but had put together a plan for the striker in the event of him remaining at St James' Park.

Their expectation was that it would take him until after the next international break in October to get back to his best levels.

And in previously unreleased quotes from Howe, speaking on the eve of Isak’s eventual move to Liverpool, the Newcastle boss admitted that the striker’s lack of match fitness was a concern.

"Alex had been working individually with our sports science department and they have been getting him fit,” he said.

"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.

That (how long he plays for) is for Alex and (Sweden manager) Jon Dahl Tomasson to decide."

Tomasson would later reveal that he had no plans to "do stupid things" with Isak following his disjointed pre-season.

Meanwhile, the striker himself admitted after completing his move to Liverpool that it would take time for him to get back to his best levels.

"Yeah, of course," Isak responded when asked by club media if he's aiming for Liverpool's game against Burnley on 14 September to be his first appearance in a red shirt.

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"I think that's the ambition.