Andoni Iraola has told Alexander Isak he must prove his worth as Liverpool’s £125m frontman this term – beginning with Sunday’s visit to Newcastle United.
The Sweden international makes his first return to St James’ Park this weekend following his bitter British-record switch to Anfield, completed on transfer deadline day last September 1 after a protracted negotiation.
The 26-year-old had a torrid debut campaign on Merseyside, hampered by fitness issues stemming from a troubled pre-season with the Magpies, during which he effectively downed tools to push through his desired transfer. A broken leg suffered in December then ruled him out for four months, and he managed just three Premier League goals under Arne Slot as the Reds scraped into fifth place on the season’s final day.
However, Isak has featured in every pre-season match since rejoining the squad earlier this month, and Iraola insists the former Newcastle man must now deliver at Anfield, starting with what promises to be a hostile welcome from his former supporters.
Iraola believes this represents a pivotal season for Isak, acknowledging that two key factors will determine his success: firstly remaining available for selection, without which the second element becomes impossible, and secondly maintaining strong performance levels. He expressed confidence that keeping the striker in optimal condition physically will unlock his best form, noting the player’s impressive pre-season displays. The coach has no reservations about Isak’s ability, describing him as a particularly rare breed of number nine capable of both receiving possession with technical precision and exploiting space behind opposition defences. Typically, managers encounter either link-up players or pacey space attackers, but Isak apparently combines both attributes. Iraola also revealed that pre-season work has centred on pressing mechanics and positioning, adding that Isak has been eager to learn and has shown steady improvement across each friendly encounter.
When questioned about whether he had discussed last season’s struggles directly with Isak, Iraola explained he has had numerous conversations with staff and players but was not at the club during the previous campaign. He stressed the importance of approaching a new environment with an open mind and avoiding being overly influenced by past accounts, while still aiming to grasp the overall context. Everyone appears committed to improvement, and Iraola himself prefers beginning afresh rather than fixating on previous shortcomings, having analysed the matches and formed his own views on the way forward.