Andoni Iraola makes 'massive' Alexander Isak prediction after seeing him in Liverpool training
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New Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola likes what he sees from Alexander Isak from a handful of early Reds training sessions ahead of a massive campaign for the Swedish internationalAndoni iIraola will need to get a tune out of striker Alexander Isak this season(Image: Getty Images)The 2025/26 was a disastrous first campaign on Merseyside for Premier League striker-record signing Alexander Isak: the 26-year-old scored three goals and made just eight league starts in an injury-riddled campaign.Isak was late to Liverpool's preseason, having featured for his native Sweden at the 2026 World Cup, and missed the Reds' wins against both Sunderland and Wrexham.However, new coach Andoni Iraola has taken quickly to the 26-year-old in just a limited number of training sessions in Chicago during Liverpool's summer camp. Speaking to the press on Thursday, the Spanish coach shared a "massive" prediction for Isak this season."Alex is exciting, he has come in a good place, good World Cup, comfortable.
First training here, still early, but I hope he can play vs Leeds and have a proper pre-season," Iraola said."Not long but 3/4 weeks of quality training, I hope, and he is in a good place because he is going to massive for us."Alexander Isak scored one goal for Sweden at the 2026 World Cup(Image: Getty Images)Isak logged four goal involvements for Sweden at the 2026 World Cup, including three in his side's 4-0 opening game victory over Tunisia. Sweden was eliminated by France in the Round of 32.He didn't meet expectations after signing with the Reds for £125 million (over $160) following a protracted transfer saga with Newcastle, though injuries played a major factor.With Newcastle, he was a 20-goal-a-season forward who helped the squad qualify for the Champions League twice in three seasons.Alexander Isak suffered through an injury-riddled 2025/26 season(Image: Getty Images)Isak is set to make his debut for Iraola against Leeds on Saturday, along with a few other returning World Cup stars.
“Yes, my idea is for Ryan [Gravenberch], for Florian [Wirtz], for Alex [Isak], for even Jeremy Jacquet to have their first minutes against Leeds,” Iraola said.“We’ll see how many minutes they can play, but we have to start slowly, slowly integrating more of the senior players who have had fewer training sessions. I think they should be ready on the weekend to have their first minutes.”Isak will have to lead the line for Liverpool for the first few months of the season with fellow striker and 2025 signing Hugo Ekitike out until at least late November as he recovers from an Achilles injury.The depth at striker is thin behind him, unless Iraola is interested in moving Cody Gakpo, sometimes a striker under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, up front.The Reds are stocked with depth on the wings — Harvey Elliott, Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha — and seem set to sign Bradley Barcola from PSG.