Liverpool face concern as Newcastle view on Alexander Isak’s fitness emerges
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New Liverpool signing Alexander Isak faces fitness concerns ahead of making his debut for the club due to an extended period without competitive football. The Swedish striker has not played since Newcastle’s final match of the last season on May 26, 2025, and spent the summer training largely in isolation, initially excluded from Newcastle’s preseason and only recently rejoining collective training during the international break with Sweden. This break marks his first time training alongside teammates since last season ended.
Isak’s absence resulted from a complicated transfer saga, during which he was training alone at his former club Real Sociedad and Newcastle’s facilities. Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson highlighted that although Isak is in good spirits and eager to play, his physical condition is behind typical preseason standards. Tomasson stressed that Isak is not yet fit to play a full 90 minutes and emphasized a cautious approach to managing his fitness, stating, “we are not going to do any stupid things with Alex.”
Liverpool coach Arne Slot echoed these concerns, noting Isak missed team training at Newcastle and only had brief match involvement with Sweden. Slot indicated that the club targets Isak’s debut for the upcoming Champions League match against Atlético Madrid rather than the recent Premier League game away at Burnley, aiming to gradually build his match fitness. Given the demanding schedule of multiple games in a short span, the coaching and performance staff face challenges balancing Isak’s fitness development and availability.
The striker’s summer was marked by a self-imposed exile from competitive play amid the transfer dispute, focusing on individual training rather than team sessions, which affected his match readiness. Despite this, both Sweden’s management and Liverpool remain optimistic about his integration, highlighting his positive attitude and desire to contribute to the team.
PP