The former Newcastle United striker is being backed to be a success at Liverpool despite a disastrous start
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: A dejected Alexander Isak of Liverpool and Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool walk off at full time during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield on November 26, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
A dejected Alexander Isak and Ibrahima Konate walk off at full-time following Liverpool's 4-1 home loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League
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Alexander Isak can still become a "very important" player for Liverpool but the Reds may need to spend big again in the January transfer market to help him out.
That's the view of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard who says he feels 'sorry' for the striker and believes the Anfield side aren't getting the best out of the player in the way that Eddie Howe did at Newcastle United.
Isak has struggled to establish himself as a key player in Arne Slot's side since his British record transfer move in the summer. The 26-year-old has appeared 10 times for Liverpool across all competitions this season, with his only goal coming against Southampton in the third round of the Carabao Cup two months ago.
The Swede hasn't found the net since, and his lack of form and fitness has been attributed to going on strike while at Newcastle in the summer in a bid to force through a move.
Speaking on TNT Sports following a humiliating defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, the Liverpool legend stated that Isak appears 'rusty' but believes he will still come good with a 'worldie' goal
Gerrard said: "We have to get Isak up to speed, he's going to be a very important player this season.
"They need to get minutes into him. Nottingham Forest, there was no space for Isak; he was thriving on no service, so I felt sorry for him. He worked his socks off.
"You can see clearly that he needs game time; he looks rusty compared to his Newcastle form.
"If you have an injury or miss a period, you can't switch it on like a light," continued Gerrard. "He's going to be doing extra work. He needs game time, minutes.
"Isak will produce for this club in the medium and long term; we have to be patient.
"There will be a moment, game, time, where he'll feel better, score a worldie, solo goal – something will click and fall into place, he'll arrive to Liverpool, I'm very confident."
It didn't click on Wednesday night in the humiliating defeat against PSV. The Sweden international was largely invisible when he entered the fray after the interval following an injury to Hugo Ekitike, touching the ball just 12 times.
Gerrard also hinted that Liverpool may require a couple of additional signings in the January transfer window to assist the club's most expensive acquisition in British history to settle in properly. This despite the Reds splashing out around £450million during the summer.
He added: "It might take tweaking in January to get more balance in the squad, but they need to be manned an extra 10 or 15 percent to get the consistency.
"There's been three international breaks, it breaks up the rhythm, he's had a niggle as well, so he needs a little bit more time."