Alexander Isak's first Liverpool interview: British record £125m signing explains why he went on strike at Newcastle & outlines ambitions at Anfield after 'tricky summer'

Sweden international Isak spent the summer pushing for a big-money move away from St James’ Park. He effectively went on strike at one stage, as he stayed away from training and worked by himself, but had to wait until deadline day before seeing a historic switch to Anfield completed.

Discussing why he was so desperate to head for Merseyside, with fans on Tyneside being left frustrated by his behaviour, Isak told Liverpool’s official website in his first interview: “I think it’s a mixture of what the club is building, but what they’re building on top of what the club already is. The history of the club. Me getting the chance to be a part of this, I want to create history. I want to win trophies. That’s ultimately the biggest motivation for me and I feel like this is the perfect place for me to grow even further and to take my game to the next level and help the team as well.”

He added on his big ambition: “I feel like this is the next step for me in my career. I’m super-happy that I’ve been given this chance and I’m very motivated to do something well with it.

“I think I have a lot to give, I think I have a lot to improve. I’m a striker but I always want to give as much as possible to the team, mainly goals but much more than that as well. I want to win everything.”

Isak has inherited the legendary No.9 shirt at Liverpool that has previously been worn by the likes of Roger Hunt, John Toshack, Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler. He added on that honour: “It means a lot, it’s an iconic number. Obviously it comes with a responsibility as well but I’m delighted to have this chance and to get this number and I’m just motivated to start working and hopefully giving back as well.”

Quizzed on whether he will be ready to make his Reds debut against Burnley after the international break, Isak said: “I think that’s the ambition. However, I’ve had a tricky summer where I haven’t played any games and I’ve had restricted training, so I think that’s one to judge and to analyse where I am at and how much I am ready to give. But I certainly want to play as soon as possible.”

Liverpool, who have made a faultless start to the 2025-26 campaign, will be back in action on September 14. Isak could go on to make his Champions League bow for the Reds against Atletico Madrid on September 17, before a derby date with Everton is taken in.