Alexander Isak is set to have a "massive" impact at Liverpool this coming season, according to former England international Teddy Sheringham. The Sweden striker, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in a British-record £125 million deal on September 1, endured a difficult first campaign at Anfield, scoring just four goals and spending four months sidelined with a broken leg sustained in a challenge by Tottenham's Micky van de Ven during a 2-1 win on December 20.
World Cup form boosts confidence
Isak has shown signs of returning to his best during the World Cup, scoring once and providing three assists so far. He scored and set up two goals in Sweden's opening 5-0 win over Tunisia, and assisted Anthony Elanga in a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands. Sheringham, who earned 51 caps for England, believes the tournament is the perfect platform for Isak to rediscover his form.
"Alexander Isak could have a massive say on the Premier League next season," Sheringham told the ECHO via ComeOn. "I loved him when he was playing for Newcastle United, firing on all cylinders. He's definitely a player who can make the difference but he's had a tough year. Injuries like that really do set you back but hopefully he'll come into next season in good form."
Pre-season boost from World Cup
Sheringham highlighted the benefit of Isak playing competitive matches during the summer rather than a standard pre-season. "I was going to say I hope he has a good pre-season for Liverpool but he's getting that with Sweden at the World Cup. He has a long time to get himself back on track and in shape for Liverpool this summer and hopefully for his sake he'll be back to the player that he was for Newcastle. That's what the Liverpool fans want to see."
Potential tactical shift under Andoni Iraola
With new Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola at the helm, Sheringham suggested a tactical change could unlock Isak's potential alongside Hugo Ekitike, who is recovering from a ruptured Achilles. "If you want to play Isak and Ekitike up front at Liverpool you have to change the system but that's a change I've been advocating for quite some time. I think if you start putting two centre-forwards up against these ball-playing centre-halves, you'll be quids in, but it all depends on who is brave enough to be the first one to do it at a big club and take a chance on it. Maybe Andoni Iraola can be the manager to take that step. We saw how he set up his team at Bournemouth but when you do it at one of the big clubs, it makes a real statement."
