Liverpool’s Record Signing Alexander Isak Is Ready To Make His Mark, Insists Slot

‎Arne Slot says Alexander Isak is now ready to demonstrate the talent that made him Britain’s most expensive footballer.

‎The Swedish striker had a quiet start at Liverpool after missing much of pre-season while pushing for his £125m move from Newcastle. His limited preparation affected his early performances for the Premier League champions.

‎However, after featuring in both of Sweden’s recent World Cup qualifiers, Isak has regained full match fitness. Slot believes the 25-year-old is poised to ignite his Liverpool career when they face Manchester United on Sunday.

‎“Fitness-wise, he is close to the level he should be, and we can reasonably judge him from now on,” said the Liverpool head coach.

‎“The first five or six weeks, of course, we had the player we signed, but he was not completely ready. He was getting fitter but he had to do this in a Premier League game. This is not normal for a player.

‎”Ideally, you would see him earlier in friendly matches, but there is no time in the middle of the season for a friendly, so we had to build him up playing Premier League and Champions League games.

‎“You have to be on top of your game to make a difference at this level. You can play at this level if you are 80, 90, or 95% but to make a difference at the highest level of football, you need to be 100%.

‎”That goes for every player and I think I can safely say he is 100% now.”

‎Isak has started four games for Liverpool in all competitions, scoring once in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton.

‎When asked what he wanted from the club’s record signing, Slot replied, “Goals. That is the simplest thing, but also to be the leader in pressing from our front three, where we can improve as well. That is something he needs to do, but Hugo [Ekitiké] does the same.

‎“Of course, if you are a No. 9 at Liverpool, you need to score goals, but that is what he has always done in his life. The only thing he needs to be is fit, and if he is fit, our team is still creating the most chances from open play in the Premier League, and we have the most shots on target in the Premier League from open play.

‎”But there is a second part of football that has become quite important and there we have to improve. You know what it is? Set pieces. There are two games in football, the open play and the set-piece part.”