Andoni Iraola reveals ‘fight’ with Alexander Isak as Liverpool icon demands Florian Wirtz grab the bull by the horns

LIVERPOOL’S £100m stars Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have been challenged to step up to the mark this season. Andoni Iraola believes Isak can become more than just a goalscorer, while Stan Collymore has told Wirtz he must start dominating games for Liverpool. Isak’s first season at Anfield was largely disrupted by injury Credit: Getty Wirtz has shown flashes of his quality, but has lacked the consistency he displayed under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Isak returns to Newcastle tomorrow for the first time since his controversial £130million move to Anfield, with the striker set to face a hostile reception from supporters who have not forgotten his decision to go on strike to force through the transfer window last summer. The Sweden international endured a difficult first season on Merseyside, scoring just four goals in 22 appearances after a broken leg restricted him to only 12 starts. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! But new Liverpool boss Iraola believes Isak can rediscover the form that made him a hero at Newcastle, where he scored 62 goals across three seasons. The Basque boss said: “Alex is going to be a very important player for us this season. “Right now, he is in a very good place. He has been training every day, has not missed a session and has been adding more and more minutes every friendly game.” “He played a very good World Cup in terms of availability – fitness level – and I want to keep him there as much as we can. “We know his level and, if we can keep him there, he will score goals and give us a lot of things.” Talking about where Isak can improve, the Liverpool boss gave his verdict. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Iraola has challenged his star striker to be better this season Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Iraola added: “Probably my fight with him, my instructions, are more in terms of without the ball. “How he can help in his position when we have the ball, so he can open spaces for other players.” “I am not trying to focus in terms of goals but he is a striker – he will want to score, but I try not to judge strikers if they score or if they haven’t.” Iraola’s comments come as Liverpool continue to search for more attacking options, with the new boss admitting: “We don’t have enough wingers.” The Reds have have been linked with PSG duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye. However, they appear to be prioritising Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh to replace Mo Salah after the Reds legend left for Trabzonspor. Liverpool have already had two bids rejected for the 22-year-old, with their latest £60million offer turned down and Brighton understood to want closer to £70m. While Isak is being challenged to become more complete, Collymore has issued a similar warning to Wirtz. Collymore produced one of the Premier League’s most iconic moments when he scored the winner against Newcastle in a 4-3 victory for Liverpool at Anfield in 1996 Credit: Reuters The Germany international arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for around £100m last summer, but struggled to consistently produce his best football during a disappointing campaign in 2025/26. Collymore believes there can be no excuses this time around. Speaking on behalf of 10bet, the former Liverpool striker said: “He has to be better this season and I think that is HIS responsibility. But this time he needs to lead the attack and be the focus, and he needs to show that he can make an impact more regularly. “When he plays for Germany, he dominates matches to the point where you walk away thinking he was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch. He hasn’t reached that level consistently for Liverpool yet.” “I don’t think he’s controlling enough games for Liverpool yet. The key thing you want is to completely occupy the opposition for 15 or 20-minute spells. “Where is he positioning himself? What is he creating? Right now, he goes in and out of matches.” Collymore also believes Wirtz and Isak must complement each other if Liverpool are to become a more dangerous side. Liverpool and Premier League fans will remember the partnership Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres had during their time at the club playing under Rafa Benitez, with Gerrard playing in behind the Spaniard – something Wirtz and Isak will look to for inspiration. Wirtz and Isak will be hoping to form a partnership like the one Gerrard and Torres formed between 2006 and 2010 Credit: Getty Images – Getty Collymore added: “While someone like Isak needs to dictate where he wants the service, Wirtz needs to control games much more through his ability. “At the moment, he operates as a bit-part player who shows flashes of brilliance, leaving people expecting something to happen that then doesn’t materialise. “If he can dominate games with an eight-out-of-ten performance week in, week out, Liverpool become a more three-dimensional team.” For Iraola and Liverpool, getting both of them firing could be the difference between another difficult campaign and a serious challenge at the top. Comment now