Liverpool may need to be patient with Alexander Isak, as reports suggest it could take months before the £125 million striker reaches full match sharpness. The Swedish forward’s fitness was heavily impacted by a drawn-out summer transfer saga from Newcastle United that saw him miss pre-season entirely, leaving Arne Slot to carefully manage his integration at Anfield.
Slow Start for Isak After Summer Saga
Liverpool’s record signing Alexander Isak is still working his way back to full fitness following a summer that was as exhausting as it was dramatic. The £125 million transfer from Newcastle United — one of the most high-profile deals of the 2025 window — took nearly two months to finalise, robbing Isak of a pre-season and leaving him well behind in physical preparation for life under Arne Slot.
Since arriving at Anfield, Isak’s start has been cautious rather than explosive. Slot has rotated him between starts and cameo appearances as the striker rebuilds his sharpness and adapts to Liverpool’s pressing system. Despite those limitations, the Swede has already offered glimpses of quality, providing an assist at the weekend and scoring against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.
Fitness Still Weeks Away from Peak
According to Daily Mail reporter Lewis Steele, Liverpool supporters may have to wait longer than expected to see Isak firing on all cylinders.
The road to full fitness is a little bit longer than expected,” Steele said. “There’s talk from Newcastle sources suggesting it could be about three months before he’s fully fit. He’s been at Liverpool for four or five weeks now, so maybe we’re another three or four weeks away from seeing Isak at his best.
Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has echoed those concerns, praising Liverpool’s careful handling of the forward but admitting that he still isn’t ready for a full 90-minute workload.
How the Transfer Saga Hurt Isak’s Preparation
Isak’s delayed move to Liverpool stemmed from a tense standoff between Newcastle United and the player’s representatives. Newcastle initially refused to sell their star striker after his outstanding 2024–25 campaign, which included helping the Magpies to a Carabao Cup triumph and a strong league finish.
Liverpool’s interest complicated matters further. Isak publicly voiced frustration over what he described as “broken promises” regarding Newcastle’s ambition and his own future, while also training separately from the main squad. The situation created unease at St. James’ Park and disrupted the striker’s rhythm heading into the new campaign.
Newcastle only sanctioned the sale late on deadline day, after securing Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart and Yoane Wissa from Brentford as replacements. By then, Isak had missed crucial conditioning work, and Slot inherited a marquee signing who needed time, not matches.
Patience Required as Liverpool Manage the Transition
Inside Liverpool, the consensus is that Isak’s slow start is not a concern — yet. The coaching staff view his current performances as part of a phased reintegration process, focusing on strength, conditioning, and tactical adjustment. Slot has been particularly measured in managing the workload of key attacking players this season, including Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, and Darwin Núñez, to avoid long-term fatigue.
The Liverpool boss has insisted that while Isak’s natural finishing and movement are already evident, he still needs “rhythm and chemistry” to thrive in the team’s fluid attacking structure.
A Busy Schedule Ahead
Isak’s progress will be tested immediately after the international break. Liverpool face a challenging run of fixtures, including Manchester United, Eintracht Frankfurt, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and a blockbuster Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
Given that schedule, Slot’s decision to protect Isak from overexertion appears justified. The club’s medical team believe that, if managed correctly, the striker should regain full sharpness by December, just in time for the busy festive period — when Liverpool will need his finishing instincts most.
For fans eager to see their new signing dominate Premier League defences, patience may be the best strategy. Isak’s talent has never been in question; it’s simply a matter of time before his body catches up with his potential.
