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Isak backs Liverpool to be ready for Premier League opener despite pre-season woes
10th August, 2026 10:26 AM
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is confident the team will be ready for the Premier League opener despite their recent struggles in pre-season. The Reds suffered another wake-up call on Sunday, August 9, 2026, falling 3–2 to AS Monaco in their first match back at Anfield this summer.
Isak opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a clinical finish, marking his second appearance of the summer program, before combining with Florian Wirtz to orchestrate Liverpool’s second goal on the half-hour mark.
Monaco stun the Reds
However, the visitors staged a dramatic second-half comeback. Aleksandr Golovin converted a penalty to reduce the deficit before the break, while Mika Biereth and Paris Brunner both struck in the second half to secure victory for Monaco.
The defeat followed a 4–2 loss against Leeds United, though Andoni Iraola’s men had earlier edged Wrexham AFC and claimed a 4-2 comeback victory against Sunderland during their pre-season tour of the United States.
Despite the recent setbacks, Isak expressed enthusiasm about returning to Anfield and backed the squad to progress under their new coach. “It is really good. I feel like the spirit is good in the group and we are all working hard to make things work. We are going to make sure that we are ready for the start,” Isak stated when discussing life under Iraola.
Getting to the best shape
The Swedish striker also provided an update on his fitness as the 2026/27 season approaches, having missed a portion of the previous campaign due to an injury sustained against Tottenham Hotspur before returning to action for Sweden at the summer World Cup.
“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 is what pre-season is for—building, and that’s what we have to keep doing,” Isak added.
Meanwhile, manager Andoni Iraola lamented a disruption in rhythm as his side failed to maintain their first-half momentum, ultimately succumbing to a late fightback from the visitors.
“As soon as we made some changes they started to get tired; we cannot sustain that level, so we have work to do,” Iraola told LFCTV, describing the result as a frustrating regression after a bright start. “They were much better in the second half, in the same way we were better in the first half.”
Andoni Iraola’s first competitive game as Reds head coach will be on Sunday, August 23, when his side visit St. James’ Park to face Newcastle United.
