Swedish media say what Liverpool fans haven't been able to about Alexander Isak after win vs Tunisia

Alexander Isak has struggled to find his best form since joining Liverpool last summer, but a switch appeared to flip on Monday as Sweden smashed Tunisia 5-1 at the World Cup.

The 26-year-old scored and provided two assists as Graham Potter's side got off to a winning start, with Viktor Gyokeres, Mattis Svanberg and Yasin Ayari's brace responsible for the heavy score line.

The Swedes will play the Netherlands next before facing Japan as they attempt to get out of Group F.

Isak's first season at Liverpool saw him score just four goals across all competitions, in a campaign that was marred by injury and uncertainty.

The striker's £125million deadline day move from Newcastle United and the long saga that preceded it made for a hugely disrupted pre-season and ultimately meant he was not starting games until the end of September.

Then, as Liverpool's bid to retain their Premier League title collapsed, Isak broke his fibula and was ruled out for almost four months.

Swedish media hail 'enormous' Alexander Isak

Isak's ability to not score goals did not disappear overnight, and there is a belief at Anfield that he will thrive under Andoni Iraola next season.

The Liverpool striker gave an indication on Monday that he is ready to do exactly that.

Isak's goal was typical of him. The forward had received the ball from Gyokeres just inside the Tunisia half and drove towards his defender before entering the box, cutting inside and powering the ball into the bottom corner.

Hard defensive work and a clever flick saw the 26-year-old claim two assists, too, in a clear sign that he is getting back to his best.

Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen certainly thought so, awarding Isak with a four out of five rating. For Sportbladet, Simon Bank wrote that the forward was "enormous".

"Isak has thrown the medical records behind him and is gliding around like a kind of liquid matter that flows in wherever there is a gap," he wrote.

Banks added: "With each passing day of training, Isak has grown closer to his usual world-conquering self. Now he got a whole match, a shot of confidence straight into his heart. He's this big now, what if he grows into the World Cup?"

Andoni Iraola sent message by Graham Potter

Slot's team, and Jurgen Klopp's, for that matter, always set up with one striker flanked by two wingers.

Mohamed Salah's brilliance made that almost a necessity, but the legendary winger has now left the club and Iraola could well be set to experiment with something new.

The way Isak linked up and worked with Gyokeres in a front two for Potter's Sweden on Monday could provide the answer.

Hugo Ekitike will not return for some time yet, but it is a potential idea for the Spaniard and it is clearly working for Isak.