Arne Slot believes Alexander Isak’s “pre-season may be finished now” and that the striker can finally be judged “in a fair way” after playing 180 minutes in four days for Sweden.
Isak was managed carefully during his first few weeks as a Liverpool player, having missed team training throughout July and August.
His minutes have gradually increased, with the expectation that he would be fully up to speed after the October international break.
While it proved to be a disappointing international window for Sweden, who suffered defeats to Switzerland and Kosovo, effectively ending their World Cup hopes and leading to Jon Dahl Tomasson’s dismissal, it was a productive one for Isak in terms of match fitness and rhythm.
“I think that’s what we did [build him up] and now he’s had his five, six weeks of pre-season, which is normal for every player – especially if you’ve been out for three or four months,” Arne Slot said.
“Fitness-wise, I think he’s now close to the level he should be and now I think we can judge him in a fair way from now on. I know how this industry works, if he plays there twice [with Sweden] and doesn’t score then that’s not what you’re hoping for.
“Of course you’re hoping if they go to the national team that they score – like Cody [Gakpo] did, like Virgil did, like Dominik [Szoboszlai] did, like [Alexis] Mac Allister did, do I forget a few? – but he didn’t. But I think his pre-season maybe finished now he’s played a few games, 70, 80, 90 minutes.
“So, let’s see where he is in the upcoming weeks.”
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