Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed Alexander Isak is fully fit again after his lack of pre-season, with the £125 million ($166.7m) striker eager to prove his worth at Anfield.
Isak forced forced his way out of Newcastle United to sign a mega deal with Liverpool but he’s yet to hit the ground running. The Sweden international failed to join Newcastle’s pre-season camp to push through his dream move and lack match fitness when he arrived at Liverpool.
Often used from the bench, Isaks’ only goal so far came in their 2-1 Carabao Cup victory over Southampton, and fans are anxious to see him play at the highest level.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Slot claimed that the 26-year-old’s stop-start introduction was deliberate, designed to rebuild his conditioning and avoid any early muscle setbacks. But the wait is finally over, and the Dutch manager can’t wait to unleash the beast version of Isak that went missing in the first few weeks.
The Liverpool manager acknowledged that supporters and the media have been quick to question the Swede’s lack of goals, especially after he drew blanks in international defeats to Switzerland and Kosovo.
Alexander Isak reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on October 04, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“Now he has had his five, six weeks of pre-season which is normal for every player, especially if you have been out for three or four months,” Slot said at a press conference on Friday.
“Fitness-wise he is close to the level he should be and we can judge him in a fair way from now on. I know how this industry works, if he plays for Sweden twice and doesn’t score that’s not what you’re hoping for, of course.
“You are hoping if they go to the national team they score goals like Cody (Gakpo) did, like Virgil (van Dijk) did, like Dominik (Szoboszlai) did, like (Alexis) MacAllister, did but he didn’t. His pre-season has finished now. He has played a few games, 70, 80, 90 minutes, so let’s see where he is in the upcoming weeks.”
As Liverpool prepare for Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Manchester United at Anfield, Slot also shared some positive news about the fitness of midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and defender Ibrahima Konate.
“Ryan is completely fit, although we still have to train twice,” Slot added. “We are in a good place with the Dutch national team if Ronald Koeman can make a decision either to play Tijjani Reijnders or Ryan Gravenberch, so he played them both 45 minutes. Ibou has come back to us, started the sessions again and is expected to train with us today.”
Liverpool are set for a busy calendar after the international break. Following the United clash, the Reds face a relentless stretch of fixtures including Eintracht Frankfurt in Europe, followed by Premier League meetings with Brentford, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and then a blockbuster Champions League tie against Real Madrid in early November.
