Alexander Isak has been backed to thrive under new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola, with pundit Danny Mills claiming the style of play at Anfield will better suit the club's record signing. Isak endured a miserable debut campaign following his £125 million move from Newcastle United last September, hampered by fitness issues and a broken leg suffered at Tottenham Hotspur shortly before Christmas.
Difficult Debut Season
The 26-year-old scored only four goals and contributed a single assist in 22 appearances for the Reds, with just 13 games coming as a starter. However, Isak managed four goal contributions in as many outings at the World Cup with Sweden, suggesting his potential remains high.
Pundit Backs Fresh Start
Former England international Danny Mills, now a media pundit, told Snabbare.com: "It's a fresh start for Alexander Isak and an opportunity to kick on. It didn't start well at Liverpool last year with the debacle around the transfer, not turning up for training, not being fit, and then picking up an injury." Mills added: "That snowballed throughout the season. It almost wrote the season off for him, and it goes back to not having a pre-season. When you aren't fit and go into high-intensity games, you pick up injuries."
Iraola's Style Better Suited
Mills expressed confidence that Iraola's approach will benefit Isak: "The way Andoni Iraola played at Bournemouth probably suits him a little bit more. He looks to play with fast attacking pace in wide areas and down the middle, playing balls in behind." He continued: "We have to look at the first few games of pre-season to see the style at Liverpool, but it may well suit Isak."
Don't Judge Harshly
Mills urged caution in judging Isak solely on last season's form: "If he has a proper pre-season, he might be a different player this year. I wouldn't judge him overly harshly. You can judge him for the way he manufactured the move, which ultimately cost him form, but don't judge him solely on the form of last year because the circumstances were partly caused by himself."
