Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest: Match Review
Alexander Isak is yet to score a Premier League goal since joining Liverpool for a British record fee of £125 million.
Dimitar Berbatov believes that Alexander Isak must try to forget about his hefty price tag in a bid to start delivering for Liverpool.
Isak has endured a disappointing start to his Reds career after joining for a British record fee of £125 million. After training alone for much of pre-season at Newcastle United, the striker arrived at Anfield well short of match fitness. A groin injury then sidelined him for four matches.
Isak has joined a Liverpool team that has jettisoned after winning the Premier League title last season. Last Saturday’s chastening 3-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest at Anfield was the Reds’ sixth league loss in seven games. Isak started the Anfield encounter as head coach Arne Slot tries to fast-track the centre-forward to full fitness.
However, the Sweden international had a challenging afternoon as he was limited to 15 touches and one tame shot before being substituted in the 68th minute. Isak has yet to score in the Premier League and bagged just once in all competitions, with pressure starting to increase on him.
Berbatov revealed that he experienced similar in his career - as well as the flak he faced from Tottenham Hotspur fans when he joined Manchester United. The former marksman believes that Isak needs to remain resilient and have good people around him who will tell him the truth - as well as support from his team-mates and head coach Slot.
What’s been said
Speaking on ESPN, Berbatov said: “Don't think about the price tag, don't think about it. I know he is probably thinking about it from time to time because that is a lot of money paid for one player. The transfer happened in a manner you don't want it to happen.
“It reminds me of a bit of myself when I wanted to go to United from Spurs. People were disappointed, people were angry and fans were angry. When you have a situation like this, it is going to affect you. When you go to the new team, expectation is there and you put expectation on yourself. You know about the price tag, even if you don't admit it, and know everybody is expecting from you to bring the ball from your own half and bring it to the other half and pretty much score by yourself. That is not the case.
“If your team is going through a difficult moment, you are going to suffer. You are a striker, you're depending on the crosses from the midfield to score goals. He is in a difficult moment but I can only give advice: stay strong in the head.
“It's very difficult and it's going to be very difficult. My thinking would be, and it was when I was in this position, get good people around you. People who will tell you the truth when you need to hear the truth and be honest with you. Team-mates to be supportive and the manager needs to continue to believe in you because strikers are a different breed, big egos and want to feel special.
“The manager is crucial here and support him in the difficult moment he's in now and, of course, him as a player who wants to show he is good enough to stay strong in the head. It's not that easy but that's why it's important to have good people around you.”
Continue Reading