Speaking to Football Presse, Hodgson praised Isak’s profile as one of the most unique forwards in the modern game.
But the reality in April 2026 tells a far more complicated story.
Since completing a British-record £125 million move from Newcastle United FC in September, Isak’s debut season at Liverpool has been heavily disrupted — first by form, then by injury.
The turning point came in December, when he suffered a serious broken leg and ankle injury while scoring against Tottenham, requiring surgery and ruling him out for over three months.
He has not played a competitive match in 2026 until April, only recently returning to training after more than 100 days out.
Even now, his comeback is being carefully managed.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed Isak is fit but not ready to start matches, with only limited minutes expected as he rebuilds fitness.
Before the injury, the numbers already hinted at a difficult adaptation.
Isak managed just three goals in 16 appearances, a stark contrast to the prolific form he showed at Newcastle.
For Hodgson, that combination — form, fitness and expectation — is where the real debate lies.
“He brings electric pace,” he said. “He can stretch teams and give you something different.”
But he also pointed to the underlying concern that now defines Isak’s situation.
“The other problem you have is his history,” Hodgson said. “He has an unfortunate habit of getting injured quite often.”
That concern is no longer theoretical — it has defined his first season.
Liverpool’s struggles in attack during his absence have also exposed how central he was meant to be to the project. His injury has been described internally as a major blow to their rhythm and goal output.
And now, heading into the summer, the conversation has shifted.
This is no longer just about what Isak could bring — it is about whether Liverpool can rely on him to deliver it consistently.
Hodgson believes the upside is still clear.
“He can open the door,” he said. “He can do something different — and that’s what top teams need.”
But the timing is critical.
After a disrupted debut season, no pre-season rhythm, and a major injury, Isak effectively enters next year needing to prove himself all over again.
Hodgson also pointed to a wider issue in the modern game — the scarcity of elite, reliable strikers.
“There’s not many strikers performing season after season,” he said.
Which is exactly why Liverpool took the gamble.
Now, just months later, that gamble sits at a crossroads.
Because Isak still represents a different dimension — but as this season shows, potential alone is no longer the story.
Availability is.