Andoni Iraola has been backed to get the best out of Alexander Isak, with suggestions that the new Liverpool head coach’s style of play is better suited to the club-record signing.
Isak endured a difficult debut season after completing a £125million move from Newcastle United last September.
The Sweden international struggled with injuries and fitness issues, including a broken leg suffered against Tottenham Hotspur shortly before Christmas.
The 26-year-old managed just four goals and one assist in 22 appearances across all competitions, starting only 13 matches.
However, Alexander Isak showed signs of rediscovering his form at the World Cup, registering four goal contributions in four appearances for Sweden.
Former England international Danny Mills believes the striker can thrive under Iraola, arguing that the Spaniard’s tactical approach is a better fit than that of former Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
“It’s a fresh start for Alexander Isak and an opportunity to kick on,” said Mills. “It didn’t start well at Liverpool last year with the debacle around the transfer, not turning up for training, not being fit, and then picking up an injury.
“That snowballed throughout the season. It almost wrote the season off for him, and it goes back to not having a pre-season.
“When you aren’t fit and go into high-intensity games, you pick up injuries. With a new start and a new manager, the manager will be looking at how to get the best out of him.
“The way Andoni Iraola played at Bournemouth probably suits him a little bit more. He looks to play with fast attacking pace in wide areas and down the middle, playing balls in behind.
“We have to look at the first few games of pre-season to see the style at Liverpool, but it may well suit Isak.”
Speaking to Snabbare.com, Mills added: “If he has a proper pre-season, he might be a different player this year. I wouldn’t judge him overly harshly.
“You can judge him for the way he manufactured the move, which ultimately cost him form, but don’t judge him solely on the form of last year because the circumstances were partly caused by himself.
“Yes, judge him for the move, but don’t judge him on the form of last year because there were circumstances equally that were caused by himself.”
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