“I feel good” – Alexander Isak speaks on his fitness after Liverpool defeat to AS Monaco

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“I feel good” – Alexander Isak speaks on his fitness after Liverpool defeat to AS Monaco

Alexander Isak Sharpens Up as Liverpool Fall 3-2 to Monaco at Anfield​

Pre-season is for rhythm, legs and repetition. Liverpool got a bit of all three at Anfield, even if the result went the wrong way in a 3-2 defeat to Monaco. The main takeaway was Alexander Isak, who looks increasingly ready.

The striker opened the scoring in the 16th minute with the sort of finish you expect from a proper No.9, clean, quick and decisive. Later in the first half, he was heavily involved again as Liverpool forced home a second, with Florian Wirtz also getting a touch in the scramble. After that, Monaco responded through Aleksandr Golovin and Mika Biereth, before Paris Brunner headed the winner late on.

Alexander Isak finding rhythm​

Isak was direct after the game, saying: “It was good. Really nice to be back at home, back in front of the fans and get some more minutes into the legs. So, that felt good.” That is what matters at this stage. Sharpness does not arrive all at once, and his assessment was clear enough: “I feel good, I feel good. Every game hopefully should take me to a better fitness level, so that’s what I’m working towards. I think today felt better than [the] last game and hopefully the next game feels better than today. That’s what pre-season is for – building – and that’s what we have to keep doing.”

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Photo: IMAGO

As for Liverpool’s second goal, he was honest about the confusion. “I think we agreed, me and Flo, that we both got a touch on the ball. But obviously I don’t know who got the first one or the last one. It felt like I was on the ball. I don’t really know.” Fair enough. Pre-season goals count for confidence, not legal ownership.

Andoni Iraola building Liverpool shape​

There were useful signs in attack, especially in the understanding between Isak and Wirtz. Liverpool carried threat, moved the ball well in spells and created enough to suggest the attacking framework is taking shape under Andoni Iraola. The defensive side still needs work, which is normal in August, but the front line already looks capable of troubling sides.

Isak also made clear that the squad is buying in. “Really good. I feel like the spirit is good in the group and we’re all working hard to make things work. We’re going to make sure that we’re ready for the start.” That is the correct message. No drama, no overreaction. Liverpool lost the game, but Isak’s progress was the relevant part.

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