Alexander Isak offers Liverpool fitness update and sends message after Hugo Ekitike injury blow
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesAlexander IsakLiverpool striker Alexander Isak is still working his way back to full match sharpness, but Arne Slot needs him to step up after a serious Achilles injury for Hugo EkitikeAlexander Isak during the Champions League game between Liverpool and PSG.(Image: Michael Regan - UEFA via Getty Images)Liverpool forward Alexander Isak says he feels close to getting back to full match fitness again after his first campaign at Anfield was ruined by a lack of sharpness and then a broken leg.Isak went on strike to force through a $169 million (£125 million) transfer to Liverpool last summer and therefore missed the whole of pre-season with Newcastle. Now back available once more, he looks to be in a similar position again in terms of regaining peak form.READ MORE: How Liverpool could line up next season with 3 transfers to transform Arne Slot's sideREAD MORE: Arne Slot makes bold prediction for next season and hits back at Liverpool 'doubts'"Obviously I was out for a long time and I've been working hard to get back," Isak told club media ahead of featuring in this weekend's Merseyside derby."That's pretty much every rehab — some are a bit more complicated than others.
I mean it's never easy being out for a long time. But I feel like I'm getting there and hopefully we can get the results as well."Liverpool's hope of pairing up Alexander Isak (centre) and Hugo Ekitike (right) next season, to help ease the burden left by the departure of Mohamed Salah (left), have been hit by the latter's serious injury(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)With Hugo Ekitike set for a number of months on the treatment table thanks to a serious Achilles injury, Isak will need to step up in the final six games of the season to help fire Liverpool back into the Champions League.Do that, and next season will be set up as best as possible for the Reds to kick on again.
Isak needs to regain his fitness and a full pre-season should be helpful to get him back on track."Obviously we're all gutted for [Ekitike's] injury," Isak continued. Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.Isak could start for Liverpool at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, but he didn't look that ready to have been involved against PSG on Tuesday.Slot started the Swede at Anfield even though he knew he could only play in the first half because of the potential for extra time.Had Isak come on in the second half and the game had then been extended by an additional half an hour, he would have needed to use another substitution to take him off again and manage his minutes.Liverpool.com says: Isak's quality is unquestionable.