Virgil van Dijk has been left hugely impressed with Alexander Isak‘s first week of training, praising him as “the complete striker” ahead of his Liverpool debut.
Isak is now a full week into training at Liverpool, having reported to the AXA Training Centre following international duty with Sweden earlier this month.
While he was left out of the squad for the 1-0 win at Burnley over the weekend, the 25-year-old is expected to make his debut – perhaps from the start – against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
Speaking in Liverpool’s pre-match press conference, Van Dijk gave his first impressions of his new teammate and outlined how he needs to adjust.
“Very good, very eager. Obviously the quality he’s been showing already since the first session, from what I’ve heard and seen. So, only positive,” the captain told reporters on Tuesday.
“Off the pitch as well, we have conversations. I spoke to him during the international break when everything was sorted.
“For him it’s about getting as fit as possible as quickly as possible, get to understand each one of us as quickly as possible; how we train, how we press, set-pieces.
“It’s been a good week for him and let’s see tomorrow.”
Whenever Isak does make his first outing for Liverpool, all eyes will be on the centre-forward after his controversial departure from Newcastle on deadline day.
Newcastle reluctantly agreed to his departure for a British record £125 million, with Van Dijk recognising the outside pressure on him to perform.
“He comes with the price tag, and the price tag we have no control over,” he continued.
“So I totally understand from the outside world there will always be talks about that, and that creates sort of pressure, but it’s down to him – and obviously with us – that we don’t speak about those kinds of things.
“We want to perform, we want to show we have the quality to play on the highest level, to play for Liverpool, to play Champions League football, hopefully for him to score a lot of goals.
“That’s it. Just work hard, enjoy being the No. 9 for Liverpool and be important for the group with the goals, assists, link-up play, help others.
“That’s the only thing you have influence on.”
Naturally, Van Dijk and the majority of the Liverpool squad were already familiar with what Isak offers as a player – having scored four goals in his six appearances against the Reds in the past.
Asked what he learned from marking his new teammate, Van Dijk compared him to another summer signing in Hugo Ekitike.
“Obviously he’s a clinical finisher. I think if you look at his finishing skills, heading, left, right, top corners, he’s the complete striker at the moment,” the Dutchman said.
“And the same you can say for Hugo. They’re maybe a little bit different, but not as much.
“They both have so much quality, they are very comfortable on the ball so they can link play, they have pace.
“That’s basically what’s being asked nowadays from the modern-day striker.
“Both are a handful and it’s obviously good they are on my side now, so hopefully they can show that in the next games and the whole year for the opponents.”