Alexander Isak has described his move from Newcastle United to Liverpool as an “easy decision”, pointing to the club’s ambition and its determination to sign him.
Isak joined Liverpool on transfer deadline day in September 2025 for a British record fee of £125m. Speaking to BBC Sport’s The Football Interview, he explained what convinced him: “[Liverpool] is a massive club, and everything about the club made it pretty clear. And the club’s ambition and the club’s will to get me in as well. It was a big part of it.”
The transfer followed a disrupted summer. Isak missed pre-season and trained at his former club Real Sociedad amid uncertainty over his Newcastle future, saying promises made to him there had been “broken”.
His first season at Anfield was difficult. He struggled for goals before a leg break ruled him out from December to April, finishing the campaign with 1,032 minutes across 22 appearances. Asked whether there was ever a point last season when he regretted the move, Isak was unequivocal: “No, never. I would never think like that.”
“[The leg break] was tough. Anyone who had a long injury would know,” he added. “But on the other hand, when you’re in a good place and when you feel good, you don’t really tend to look back because it doesn’t really benefit you. So I’m just looking forward and feel really optimistic and excited about the season, and what it can bring to us.”
The current campaign has started far more productively. After only four games, the 26-year-old has already matched last season’s tally of three Premier League goals.
Over the summer, Isak made his World Cup bow for Sweden after his limited game time at Liverpool the previous season. He scored once and assisted three goals for Graham Potter’s side before they were knocked out by France in the last 32. “Playing for your country in a World Cup is a dream of most people,” he said. “With the injuries last season, the World Cup was perfect. I had that period where I could play and gain rhythm and form. And, on top of that, it was a massive experience, so that was perfect to do and come back here for pre-season and to start the season.”
Isak has also had to adapt to a new manager, with Andoni Iraola replacing Arne Slot as Liverpool head coach in the summer. Iraola has told the striker he wants him to defend from the front, framing it as an “attacking weapon” for the side. “He asks me to be part of the defending but to defend in positions where, when we win the ball, we can counter quickly and get the ball forward to the offensive line,” Isak said. “He said ‘score goals’, but he wants me to defend. The way we defend – we defend to score goals so defending, in the end, is an attacking weapon.”
Under Iraola, Liverpool are aiming to implement a front-foot, aggressive style, and they have made the most sprints in the Premier League this season. Isak believes the approach suits him. “He came with his football – the way he wants to play and the high intensity which I think will benefit me, the club and the way the club wants to play football,” he said. “I think that’s what the team needs. It’s not just about getting the ball to me, it’s about getting the ball forward and to all of the offensive players quickly. I think that will benefit the team. I think if we can do that then we should score more goals.”
With 60 Premier League goals to his name, Isak is determined to help bring silverware to Liverpool this year, though he insists he is not someone who sets personal targets. His most prolific Premier League season came with Newcastle in 2024-25, when he scored 23 goals. “Everyone knows that success for this club is winning trophies,” he said. “I want to score every game. Everyone is different. Some like to set targets and some don’t. I’m the one that doesn’t.”
He also had praise for a team-mate, describing Cody Gakpo as a humble guy.