Sweden Boss Reveals Why Alexander Isak Has Struggled to Find His Rhythm at Liverpool

Sweden's national team manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has expressed confidence that Alexander Isak's modest beginning at Liverpool shouldn't cause alarm, attributing it to the forward's interrupted pre-season preparations.

Isak's summer involved solo training sessions after expressing his desire to depart Newcastle United. The Magpies ultimately approved his transfer at the window's conclusion, with Liverpool paying a club-record £125 million ($154.2 million) for his acquisition.

Consequently, Isak was absent for the Premier League's first three matches following a summer without competitive fixtures. After his arrival, Arne Slot was careful to manage immediate expectations, noting that Isak was significantly behind in terms of match readiness.

The Liverpool manager has therefore gradually integrated him, with the striker making six appearances including just three from the starting lineup. Isak has found the net once in the Carabao Cup and provided an assist for Cody Gakpo during the weekend's loss to Chelsea.

Tomasson has selected Isak for Sweden's crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Switzerland and Kosovo, having given the forward his initial 2025–26 campaign minutes during September's international window.

The national team manager, who earned 112 caps for Denmark, considers Isak's quiet Liverpool debut period entirely predictable and praised Slot's handling of the situation.

"A proper pre-season requires six weeks," Tomasson explained. "Initially you feature for 45 minutes, progressing to 60 minutes, 75 minutes and eventually 90 minutes. Then you require an additional three weeks to reach peak condition. This is standard.

"The circumstances cannot be altered. I'm pleased that Liverpool are implementing the approach I would have taken. Consider Newcastle's situation with Yoane Wissa, who replaced Isak. He immediately participated in international fixtures with Congo and subsequently suffered injury. He remains sidelined.

"This also explains why we couldn't utilize [Isak] extensively last month. We require a fit Isak for this month and the next. That's our strategy, while Liverpool have managed excellently."

With six weeks having elapsed since Isak's transfer, Tomasson anticipates the striker's optimal form will emerge shortly.