This week, Alexander Isak gave an exclusive interview to English media, discussing Arne Slot's demands on him, his partnership with Cody Gakpo, and his thoughts on Potter.

How are you feeling physically and mentally right now?

I feel excellent. Everything is going to plan, and the team is in great shape. The most positive thing is that everything keeps improving, which gives me and the whole team confidence in the future.

The team has a new manager, and without a doubt it's a fresh start for everyone. What changes has Slot brought to you personally?

This intense style of play suits both me and the club very well. It aligns with the football philosophy the team wants to implement. I often consult with him. He can manage the entire team, and we all know that as long as he stays healthy and performs like he is now, he can help create history.

But his demands on me go beyond just scoring goals. He also asks me to contribute defensively and to engage in pressing in specific areas. When we win the ball back, we can launch quick counterattacks and get the ball to the attacking players in front of me.

That's interesting. Typically, managers ask strikers to focus solely on scoring, but you mentioned defending first. Is he trying to develop your all-around abilities?

Yes. Scoring is important, but he wants us to understand that our own defense creates scoring opportunities. Defense is also a weapon for attack.

I noticed that in several goals against Ipswich, the team played quick balls to you. Thinking back to your standout period at Newcastle, the team also played quick balls to you. To perform at your best and score, do you need this kind of rapid passing support?

That's correct. This is what the whole team needs to do—not just play quick balls to me, but to all our attacking players. If we can do that, we'll score more goals.

Let's talk about your partnership with Cody Gakpo. I know you've played together for a season now, and it seems your understanding is quite good.

This partnership has worked really well so far. He's an extremely versatile player who can do almost everything on the pitch. From making runs out wide to dropping deep to receive the ball, his link-up play and final pass are also excellent.

Let's talk about your big move last year. Last season, was there ever a moment when you thought, "Oh no, maybe this transfer wasn't the right decision?" I know you had injuries then, and luck wasn't on your side last season.

No, I never thought that.

When you look back at that time, how difficult was it?

Honestly, I don't dwell on the past much. I've said before that it was genuinely tough, and anyone who has experienced a long-term injury understands. But when you're in good shape now, you don't get stuck in the past because it doesn't help. I only look forward—full of anticipation for this season and the team's opportunities. I'm very excited.

Where does your love of football come from?

For me, it comes from the streets and school. In my free time, I always played football.

When did you realize you could make a career in football?

Around age 15.

What stage of your career were you at then?

I was at a local club. Sometimes I trained with the senior team.

You've had a lot of success from a young age and attracted attention early on, right?

That's right. I was well-known in Sweden from a young age and started my career very early.

Have you always dreamed of playing in the Premier League one day?

Yes. That was one of my career goals. I've always wanted to play in the Premier League. I also wanted to play in Spain, and I did play there for three years.

What was it like playing in Spain? Wasn't it there that the world started to get to know you?

I watched La Liga as a kid, so it was amazing to play there. You could say it was my first real breakthrough in my career.

That experience shaped your playing style, and now your team's manager is Spanish too. Is this familiar territory for you? Do you enjoy it?

Absolutely. Many of the training methods and daily concepts remind me of my time in Spain.

Let's talk about international football. You played in the Euros, and last summer was your first World Cup. Did this major tournament come at just the right time to help you regain rhythm after your injury last season?

Absolutely. I suffered many injuries last season, and the World Cup was a great opportunity for me. I could play and get back into match fitness, and representing my country at the World Cup was a rare experience—a dream for most footballers. It was fantastic.

Premier League fans know Sweden's coach, Potter, very well. What's it like working with him for the national team?

It's excellent. He's English, but he has a deep connection to Swedish football and even speaks Swedish.

Really? How well does he speak it?

He speaks it very well, fluently. That's rare, and the whole team respects him for it.

For you, what does success for Liverpool this season mean?

Everyone knows that for a big club like this, success means winning trophies—multiple trophies ideally. Of course, winning even one trophy is also a success. Trophies are the standard by which this club's success or failure is measured.

Going back to an earlier point: your career-high is 23 goals in a single season at Newcastle. Are you confident you can break that record this season?

It depends on the person. Some like to set targets, some don't. I'm in the latter camp. Of course, I hope to score in every game.

Finally, please complete this sentence: When I finish my football career, I will ____

Enjoy life and rest. (Laughs)

That's interesting. Many people say that, but after retiring, they become coaches anyway. So do you think you might become a coach in the future?

It's hard to say. I can't imagine myself as a coach, but my current thoughts might change when I'm older. Life is still long ahead.

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