Alexander Isaac of Liverpool. (Photo via Liverpool’s website)
Liverpool’s Alexander Isaac’s landmark signature was sealed on the deadline with a British record move worth £125 million (up nearly £130 million including bonuses), but it wasn’t easy.
Behind the scenes, the club’s sports science division played a key role in overcoming serious fitness concerns about Swedish strikers, according to Express.
Isak’s injury record raised the inevitable alarm bell at Merseyside. In a spell in Newcastle that arrived in 2022 with a club record fee of around £63 million, he missed an astounding 39 games and over 200 training sessions, mainly due to issues with gro caliber.
Liverpool was worried about Alexander Isaac Fitness
The striker’s fitness record poses a threat to a transfer, and before it could be official, the Reds needed a guarantee.
Liverpool turned their eyes to sports science specialists. These experts conducted a detailed assessment of ISAK’s physical condition, aiming to determine whether strikers can handle the physical pressure of playing for Merseyside clubs.
Reassuring, they concluded that Isaac’s fitness profile is manageable and could work proactively to reduce future injury risks.
Isaac’s path to Anfield was sturdy. He went on strike after Newcastle stopped transfer consultations, avoided pre-season training and instead exercised alone in Spain.
Red finally made sure of the striker
This lack of structured preparation has encouraged more doubt about his preparation.
Despite this, Liverpool pushed their move forward. They relied on internal fitness analysis and trusted experts to effectively manage and support the ISAK transition.
After the move, Isaac joined the Swedish national team setup, with manager John Dahl Thomason giving similar attention. He revealed that Isak didn’t fit enough matches for a 90-minute outing, but praised the strong adjustments between the Sweden and Liverpool staff.
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