Alexander Isak has admitted his frustration after seeing the start of his Liverpool career disrupted by injury, following his British-record £125m move from Newcastle United on transfer deadline day.
The striker effectively forced through the move after refusing to train with the Magpies during the final weeks of the window.
The Sweden international spent much of the summer training alone and did not feature for Newcastle during pre-season or the opening weeks of the Premier League campaign.
As a result, he arrived at Anfield in early September lacking match sharpness and has been playing catch-up ever since.
Alexander Isak has endured a slow start in a Liverpool shirt, scoring just once in his first eight appearances for the club.
His momentum was halted further last month when he suffered a groin injury, forcing him off at half-time during the Reds’ 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
The setback ruled him out of Liverpool’s next four matches, and although he returned to the matchday squad for the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City before the November international break, he remained an unused substitute.
The 26-year-old finally made his comeback for Sweden on Saturday night, coming off the bench in the 62nd minute of their World Cup qualifier against Switzerland.
He was unable to influence the outcome as his side fell to a 4-1 defeat, but speaking afterwards, Isak insisted he “felt okay” physically and is now focused on rediscovering form for both club and country.
“It was about half an hour. It felt okay,” he told Sportbladet. “I feel like the reaction was good after the match in my body.
“Hopefully I can play properly in the next match (against Slovenia on Tuesday). “It’s always frustrating when you’re injured. Regardless of whether it’s one match or more. It’s always worst for the player himself
“It hasn’t been optimal. But when I’m on the field, I don’t give myself any excuses. I always want to play my game and perform.
“But yes, it’s hard to be away and not be able to help and contribute. Now I’m back and I’m positive. There’s not much that’s easy in football. But with experience you learn to deal with things.
“That’s how it is with injuries and all that. You learn to deal with it and get back on track the right way.”
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