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Alexander Isak has declared himself ready to play his first full 90 minutes since the final day of last season as the striker continues to build up his match sharpness following his blockbuster switch to Liverpool. The Swede sealed a £125m switch from Newcastle United on transfer deadline day.

But he had suffered a disjointed pre-season with the Magpies while trying to engineer his departure for the Reds. Isak failed to feature for the club throughout their pre-season preparations or the opening weeks of the new Premier League campaign, training in isolation for most of the summer.

Consequently, Isak hasn't completed a full 90 minutes since the final day of last season when Newcastle fell 1-0 to Everton on May 25.

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He made his playing comeback for Sweden during the previous international window, immediately joining up with his nation after sealing his transfer from St. James' Park to Anfield.

Featuring for 18 minutes against Kosovo, he has since made six outings for Liverpool.

Making three starts, he boasts a goal and an assist from his appearances thus far with his total playing time for the Reds reaching 312 minutes.

However, while Isak has yet to achieve peak physical fitness, he maintains he is prepared to take the next step in his conditioning programme.

And after linking up with Sweden for the October international break, the forward has handed both club and country a boost ahead of Friday night's World Cup qualifier against Switzerland.

"Tomorrow I'm ready for 90 minutes if needed," he said at a pre-match press conference. "It's been a month now.

"I've had a lot more playing time and things have calmed down. I feel in a much better position now than last time."

Isak also confessed his desire to step up as a leader for Sweden, following a lacklustre September international break that saw them secure only a single point from their first two World Cup qualifiers.

"Of course you have that feeling," he responded when questioned about his desire to play a pivotal role for his nation. "It automatically means you get a leading role.

"I'm starting to become one of the older ones. I want to be a leader and feel a responsibility, both on and off the field.

"There is pressure on us and high expectations, but that is common in football. We have the same ambitions as the Swedish people. Hopefully we can live up to the expectations.

"I hope that the people who are there believe in it and bring with them the positive energy that we will need to get that extra.

"It is important that we are all on the same track and help Sweden win."

In addition, Isak shared his initial thoughts on the start of his Liverpool career.

"Great so far," he expressed. "Great team and a city where the team has a good relationship with the fans. It's been okay so far."

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