Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has showed his support to Liverpool's misfiring £125m striker Alexander Isak
Former Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov
Former Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov
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Dimitar Berbatov has urged Alexander Isak to stay strong mentally and forget his £125m price tag if he is to turn around his form for Liverpool. The Sweden international is yet to score in the Premier League for the Reds with his only goal since joining the club coming in the League Cup against Championship side Southampton.
Making nine appearances for the reigning Premier League champions to date, Saturday’s loss to Nottingham Forest saw Isak become the first Liverpool player since 1906 to suffer defeat in each of their first four starts for the club in the English top-flight.
The 26-year-old only touched the ball 14 times in an ineffectual display before being withdrawn in the 68th minute as the Reds fell to a 3-0 loss.
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The defeat was their sixth from their last seven Premier League matches, with Liverpool dropping to 12th in the Premier League table as a result following the latest round of fixtures.
The reigning champions’ loss of form comes despite embarking on a £450m spending spree last summer, which saw them break the British transfer record twice to sign Florian Wirtz and Isak.
The latter had to wait to make his move to Liverpool, though, having essentially gone on strike at former club Newcastle United in a bid to force an exit.
Training alone throughout the summer, he did not feature for the Magpies during pre-season or in the opening weeks of the Premier League campaign prior to his deadline day switch to Anfield.
Isak has ultimately been left playing catch-up as a result of his disjointed summer, having been left short of match fitness and then sat out five games after suffering a groin injury against Eintracht Frankfurt last month.
And amid the striker’s struggles, Berbatov has told Isak what he needs to do to kickstart his Liverpool career, comparing the situation to his own switch from Tottenham Hotspur to Manchester United.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Alexander Isak of Liverpool looks dejected during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on November 22, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak looks dejected during Liverpool's loss to Nottingham Forest
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“Don't think about the price tag, don't think about it,” the Bulgarian said on ESPN. “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.”