Sam Allardyce has explained why the World Cup is going to have a positive impact on Alexander Isak, and therefore for Liverpool too.
When Liverpool signed Isak for a Premier League and club record of £125million in 2025, Reds fans were ecstatic. It came after the club had already spent £116m and £79m for Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
The £320m spent on revitalising Liverpool’s attack after selling Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, was not realised as grief overtook the club. While much of the reporting last season surrounded Mohamed Salah’s drastic dip in form, very little was made of the effect that losing his close friend had.
So, when the likes of Isak and Wirtz underperformed, there was a lot of nuance missing from reporting on Liverpool. Isak then broke his leg against Spurs in December, before Hugo Ekitike (who was playing quite well) suffered an Achilles tendon rupture.
While the decision to part ways with Arne Slot was the correct one, it’s fair to say the Dutchman was in an almost impossible situation as his man-management skills were pushed to the limit.
Sam Allardyce and Phil Thompson discuss Alexander Isak’s sudden uptick in form on international duty with Sweden
Since leaving Liverpool for international duty with Sweden for the 2026 World Cup, Isak has looked like a new man. Gone is the sluggish striker that seemed void of confidence. In three games for his country, Isak has two goals and two assists.
Compared to the four goals and solitary assist he managed in 22 games for Liverpool, it’s safe to say Isak has refound his mojo.
??? OFFICIAL: Alexander Isak, Man of the Match for Sweden against Tunisia. pic.twitter.com/0GgGipfC71
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 15, 2026
Speaking to Sam Allardyce on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Liverpool legend Phil Thompson said: “He [Isak] needs to play football matches – he’s not played!”
In total, Isak played 1,032 minutes for Liverpool last season as a combination of a lack of a real pre-season and a broken leg meant he was unavailable for selection more often than not.
Thompson continued: “Because he had controversy last pre-season, he never got a pre-season. Sam will tell you. If you don’t have that under your belt, then you come back and you’re playing catch-up.
“Then you’re trying to be bit-fed into the side, because everyone wants to see him. […] but you can’t [play him all the time] and then you risk injury. He comes back, he gets an injury, then against Spurs he gets a broken leg. And all of this intertwines, so you’re not fully fit.
“He’s not had enough games. You can see that. People writing him off is like… come on. Give the boy a chance. He’s never been fit enough.”
Allardyce, now retired from managing, agreed with Thommo, underlining the importance of playing for a player to get into a groove.
He said: “The World Cup’s a good thing for him. If he plays every game, that’s good for Liverpool, as it gives him some catch-up time against the rest.
“He can really benefit from the games, because he’s not tired. He’s not fatigued, as he hasn’t done anything this season because of [the injuries].
“[…] It’ll be a good thing if he plays all the games and how far they go, then it links into pre-season with Liverpool and then he could be a major force next season.”
