Liverpool given perfect Alexander Isak update as Virgil van Dijk handed World Cup warning
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Alexander Isak will come up against some of his Liverpool teammates as Sweden takes on the Netherlands at the World Cup, with the striker having made s superb start to the tournamentAlexander Isak has made a superb start to this summer's World Cup(Image: Getty Images)Sweden boss Graham Potter expects Alexander Isak to get “stronger and stronger” as the World Cup progresses in an encouraging sign for Liverpool.Isak has made a superb start to this summer’s tournament, having scored and bagged two assists in Sweden’s opening 5-1 win over Tunisia. He’ll be aiming to continue that form as he takes on some familiar faces against the Netherlands on Saturday.The striker will of course face his Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo, with Sweden knowing that a win will secure its safe passage into the knockout stages of the tournament.Isak did provide something of a scare ahead of the game though after he was spotted training on his own earlier in the week.
Sweden has since played down fears over his fitness, despite what has been a tough first year for him at Anfield.The 26-year-old made just 22 appearances for the Reds following his record-breaking move from Newcastle, with just 13 of those coming from the start, while he only managed to score four goals across all competitions.He showed encouraging signs in his first game at this year’s World Cup though, and Potter is backing him to get better as the tournament goes on."Alex has had a season that has been interrupted,” Potter said ahead of Sweden’s game against the Netherlands.Virgil van Dijk will come up against Alexander Isak at the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)"Most football players would say they need a certain amount of time and games to get up to top, top level, so we've had to try to build Alex up. I think there's more to come from him."He's not at that place where he's at absolute maximum, but obviously with the quality he has and the type of player he is, he can still influence the game."I think he'll get stronger and stronger as the tournament goes, and that's where our work is to try and help him get better and better, stronger and stronger."Potter also suggested that he has seen a marked difference in Isak’s demeanor after what was a tough first season with Liverpool.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
“I think he likes being with the team, he likes being with the players."He enjoys it, plays with a smile on his face. And if we do that, then he's fantastic."Liverpool.com says: That’s certainly encouraging to hear, and hopefully it’s good news for Liverpool ahead of next season.Although the World Cup might complicate things for Andoni Iraola this summer, for Isak, it perhaps comes at a good time, giving him the chance to get some much-needed minutes before reporting back to Liverpool.Hopefully we’ll get to see the difference that a proper pre-season can have for him, and he can start to show why the Reds spent so much money on him last summer.