Serious Alexander Isak fitness concerns raised as doubt cast over debut
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Alexander Isak could be set to make his Liverpool debut this weekend as the Reds head to Premier League team Burnley, but former manager Eddie Howe has issued a cautionary note about the striker.
The Swedish player departed Newcastle on transfer deadline day, concluding a saga that lasted all summer.
James' Park.
They anticipated that it would take him until after the October international break to regain his top form.
In quotes not previously released, Howe, speaking just before Isak's move to Liverpool, confessed that the forward's lack of match fitness was a worry.
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Eddie Howe was forced to say goodbye to Isak, Newcastle's talismanic striker.
"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."
Howe's comments cast doubt over whether Isak will actually make his debut against Burnley on Sunday.
It seems unlikely Isak will start at Turf Moor - considering Arne Slot has an in-form Hugo Ekitike at his disposal for that No
9 role - but Liverpool fans would love to see Isak come off the bench during the closing stages of the game.
Tomasson would subsequently disclose that he had no intention to "do stupid things" with Isak following his fragmented preseason preparations.
Meanwhile, the forward himself acknowledged after sealing his switch to Liverpool that it would require time for him to return to peak condition.
"Yeah, of course," Isak replied when questioned by club media if he's targeting Liverpool's fixture against Burnley on 14 September as his debut in red