Liverpool's record-breaking £125 million signing, Alexander Isak, is facing familiar questions over his fitness, casting an early shadow over his Anfield career.
A Problem That Followed Him
The Swedish international's departure from Newcastle United was one of the most dramatic stories of the summer transfer window. Isak refused to play for the Magpies again, citing broken promises from the club. However, the striker's time at St. James' Park was also marred by a string of injuries, primarily affecting his groin and thigh.
Liverpool's medical team conducted a thorough examination of this history before sanctioning the massive deal. The club only proceeded after receiving assurances that his past physical problems were manageable.
A Stop-Start Beginning on Merseyside
Despite this due diligence, Isak's start to life as a Liverpool player has been far from smooth. He missed the entire pre-season and initial matches due to a lack of match fitness. His return to the squad was brief; he soon experienced further discomfort in his groin, leading to another spell on the sidelines.
This pattern has not gone unnoticed. Former Arsenal and Sunderland midfielder Stefan Schwarz has pinpointed fitness as the major concern for head coach Arne Slot.
The Pundit's Verdict
Speaking to Swedish outlet Hajper, Schwarz was full of praise for Isak's abilities but unequivocal about his primary weakness. "Alexander Isak is a fantastic player," Schwarz said. "The quality, the finishing, the movements, the intelligence on the pitch. He creates space for himself and others."
He continued, "But I believe there's one thing that worries me a little bit, it is his fitness. Every club that he's been to or played for, he hasn't been able to continue week in and week out; it isn't a new problem."
Schwarz concluded that the key challenge for Liverpool is to find a way to unlock Isak's undeniable talent consistently. "That's probably the challenge Liverpool has - to get the best out of Isak... He has to play week in and week out to get that continuity to even improve and to get on a higher level."
Isak's recent international duty with Sweden saw him play 28 minutes against Switzerland before starting on the bench against Slovenia, suggesting a cautious approach to his workload as the concern over his durability continues.
