Alexander Isak had an unfortunate start to his Liverpool career. He arrived last season with great fanfare after forcing the move away from his former club Newcastle United. Injury after illness after injury hampered his inaugural season, the most damaging being a broken leg following a bad tackle in Liverpool’s match against Tottenham in December.
With Arne Slot moving on and Andoni Iraola taking his place, it marks a fresh start for the team. It’s a fresh start for Isak, who is fit and ready to
partake in the preseason friendlies in North America. He represented Sweden in the World Cup and has now returned to the squad. He likely feels pressure to live up to his hefty £125m price tag and all of the drama required to make the transfer happen.
Robbie Fowler, who has traveled to the United States with the club, said that he doesn’t believe the price tag should influence how we judge Isak this season.
“If it was me, the price tag would not bother me,” Fowler insisted. “The players are focused on doing well, it is left to others to talk about money. Price tags are only one thing the clubs put on a player. For me, it would not bother me, whether that’s my mentality, I don’t know… some players don’t have that.
“Alexander is world-class and the price tag won’t bother him either. He has everything in the locker, exciting when he drives with the ball, he makes things happen. He excites the fans which is imperative for a club like Liverpool.”
In a press conference before their friendly against Leeds United in Chicago, Iraola was similarly excited to see him join the team.
“Alex is exciting,” said Iraola in Thursday’s Chicago press conference. “He has come to pre-season in a good place, had a good World Cup, feeling comfortable. His first training here, still early but I hope he can play against Leeds and have a proper pre-season. It is not long, but three or four weeks of quality training, I hope, and he is in a good place because he is going to be massive for us.”
Excitement all around, especially with the fans, who know that the 26-year-old striker could be a huge benefit to the team, particularly with the departure of Mohamed Salah and the continued absence of Huge Ekitike.
