The games Alexander Isak will play for Liverpool in pre-season as fans question absence
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If there is one player who needs a good pre-season for Liverpool this year, it is Alexander Isak.The Swede missed the majority of last campaign due to a combination of injury and fitness issues, while also not training over the summer of 2025 as he tried to force a move from Newcastle United to Anfield.However, Isak has not been named in Liverpool’s initial pre-season squad for their US tour, meaning he will miss the Sunderland game before eventually joining up with the squad for their final two matches. How does Andoni Iraola fit Wirtz and Isak into Liverpool’s starting XI next season?
Photo Credit: Getty Images/David Ramos/Joe Prior/Visionhaus Alexander Isak expected to play vs Wrexham and Leeds United in the USAThe striker competed at the 2026 World Cup with Sweden last month, exiting the competition in the Round of 32.Their final match was a 3-0 loss to France on June 30, and as per FIFA rules, Isak had to take a 21-day holiday before he could return to Liverpool.That means he should have been back with the club on July 21, leaving a number of fans to question his absence from the pre-season team:“Why is Isak not on the plane?”“Isak isn’t serious tbh; why is he still on break, huh? He needs the pre-season more than anyone.”“I don’t see why Isak and Wirtz are going on holiday.
They need to show £100 million + isn’t a waste.”“Wirtz and especially Isak should be on here, but what do I know…”It is easy to see why some fans are confused by his absence, especially as Isak is Liverpool’s only fit striker going into 2026/27.Another campaign of the Swede failing to stay fit could be detrimental to the Reds’ title hopes, given Hugo Ekitike is not back until December 2026 at the earliest.But thankfully, Isak will play two games in the US. The first will be against Wrexham on July 30 before a meeting with Leeds United on August 2.Liverpool will then return to England for their remaining two pre-season fixtures, taking on AS Monaco (August 9) and Como (August 16).That means, as long as he can remain injury-free, Isak will be part of four friendlies ahead of the proper campaign kicking off with an away trip to his former side, Newcastle, on August 23.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox