Alexander Isak has responded to Andy Robertson's claim that Liverpool's new signings were affected by the tragic death of Diogo Jota, and has agreed with head coach Andoni Iraola's demand for more involvement in matches.
Isak on Robertson's comments
Isak was among a raft of players brought into Liverpool last year shortly after the death of Jota, who was killed along with his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in Spain shortly before the start of pre-season training.
Former Liverpool vice-captain Andy Robertson stated earlier this week it took months for the new arrivals to settle in as the rest of the squad "didn't care about football" at that point.
When asked about those comments, Isak said to a media conference in Sweden on Thursday: "I understand. It was a tough period, especially for those who were already at the club.
"They know best what the team was like and how they felt, but you can certainly understand it.
"I feel more sorry for the ones who were there and had to go through that. That's where the focus was and it was tough for them. Obviously it was a special environment to come into, but beyond that everyone was incredible. You have to take what he (Robertson) says at face value.
"It wasn't difficult to settle in as such, since it's a fantastic group, but there might have been something going on in the background without one consciously realising it.
"Of course, you could sense the terrible thing that had happened, but it's hard to draw conclusions. I didn't know the people involved, but the atmosphere is good now, and that's important."
Agreement with Iraola
Isak has notched four times along with one assist in seven Liverpool outings this season, matching his goal contribution for the whole of the previous campaign following his £125million British record move from Newcastle United.
However, Reds boss Iraola reiterated following Isak's winner at Bournemouth last weekend his insistence from earlier in the season that the striker be more involved in general play.
And the 27-year-old said: "I agree. There are many games where I feel like I should and want to contribute more and be more involved. It's nothing strange.
"Of course you want to do it in all matches, but in some matches you are involved in most of it while in other matches you are involved less. It is the matches where you are not involved as much that you want to change."
Assessing the start of Iraola's reign, Isak added: "The first feeling is that we are more stable defensively. Then we have a lot to improve offensively. The foundation is set and the bar is high."
International break ahead
Isak is primed to start all four of Sweden's UEFA Nations League matches during the international break, the first of which is at home to Romania on Friday evening.
He said: "I feel good, and I feel good physically. I've been healthy for a while now and have found some consistency. That's the foundation for me to play good football.
"My focus has been on having a good season considering last year. It's not about making amends, but having the usual ambitions to do well. I've had a good start, but it's still very early. I won't talk about that too much."
