Liverpool forward Alexander Isak has acknowledged that the team still faces significant challenges as the Premier League season approaches. The club concluded its pre-season tour in the United States with a 4-2 loss to Leeds United in Chicago on Sunday, surrendering a 2-0 halftime lead.

Isak featured for the first 45 minutes of the match, marking his initial outing under new head coach Andoni Iraola. Having just returned from representing Sweden at the World Cup, where he played three full matches as his team reached the round of 32, Isak is focused on regaining full fitness and adapting to the new coaching setup.

“It is early days but the training has felt good,” Isak said. “We all like his game ideas, it feels positive but there is still a long way to go. There is a lot of work to be done.” He expressed hope to be in strong form soon in order to contribute to Liverpool’s success.

Isak’s arrival at Liverpool last September from Newcastle United was one of the most expensive transfers, valued at £125 million. Despite this investment, he has yet to complete a full match for the club over 22 appearances. However, the striker emphasized the benefits of the pre-season period in building his physical condition. “It feels good after a break and some training,” he said. “I recharged the batteries, had a nice break, just taken it easy mostly. I got to feel the ball a bit more [against Leeds]. I got a bit of running in and built up some fitness. In these games, the most important thing is to get the body going and it felt good.”

Liverpool’s preparations come with less than three weeks until the new Premier League campaign begins. The team’s recent performance, including the loss after leading comfortably, highlights the work ahead as they seek to implement the new manager’s tactics and regain consistency. Isak’s comments reflect a cautious optimism as the squad continues to build cohesion and fitness before competitive matches resume.