Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Alexander Isak believes he is close to full fitness ahead of his second season with Liverpool, having seen his debut campaign at Anfield affected by injury.
Isak suffered a leg fracture during a 2-1 Premier League win over Tottenham last December, which left him sidelined for almost four months.
Having joined the Reds from Newcastle United in a Premier League-record £125m deal, Isak only played 22 games in 2025-26 – 13 of which were starts – and scored just four goals.
In each of his two previous seasons with the Magpies, Isak had played at least 40 games (40 in 2023-24, 42 in 2024-25) and scored at least 25 goals (25 in 2023-24, 27 in 2024-25).
Isak was on the scoresheet on Sunday as Liverpool were beaten 3-2 by Monaco at Anfield, playing 59 minutes of a game in which Andoni Iraola’s side led 2-0 before their visitors fought back.
Liverpool’s opening Premier League fixture of the season will take Isak back to St James’ Park on August 23, where he is sure to get a frosty reception from Newcastle’s fans – he did not return to the ground last season, with the Reds having already played there prior to his transfer.
And slowly but surely, the striker feels like he is getting back to something approaching peak condition.
“It was really nice to be back at home, back in front of the fans and get some more minutes into the legs. So, that felt good,” Isak told Liverpool’s website.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 9, 2026
“I feel good. Every game hopefully should take me to a better fitness level, so that’s what I’m working towards.
“I think today felt better than the last game and hopefully the next game feels better than today. That’s what pre-season is for – building – and that’s what we have to keep doing.
“I feel like the spirit is good in the group, and we’re all working hard to make things work. We’re going to make sure that we’re ready for the start.”
Liverpool have one last pre-season friendly to come before they begin their first season under Iraola, at home to Cesc Fabregas’ Como on Sunday.
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