Isak has struggled since joining Liverpool from Newcastle in a British record transfer move
Alexander Isak has struggled since joining Liverpool from Newcastle United
Alexander Isak has struggled since joining Liverpool from Newcastle United
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Alexander Isak's woeful start to life at Liverpool since his British record transfer move from Newcastle United is his own doing.
That is the blunt verdict of former England and Leeds United defender Danny Mills, who believes Isak can still come good but is suffering from a lack of pre-season.
Isak joined Liverpool for £125million in the summer but is yet to score for the Reds in either the Premier League or the Champions League.
He effectively went on strike at Newcastle to force the move and he is continuing to play catch up fitness-wise as a result.
And while Mills appreciates the impact a lack of pre-season would have had on the Swedish international he is confident he will still come good at Anfield.
"It’s hard to appreciate what the impact of having no pre-season has done to Alexander Isak," Mills told BetWright.
"It may have been partly through choice, but the outcome is the same - you aren’t match ready and you’re playing catch up.
"Then there’s external factors, like having to move house, relocate your family, get used to a new set up, new team mates and ways of training. It’s not always easy to settle immediately.
"Strikers need service and when the team isn’t settled, it can easily affect the strikers numbers. There’s a bigger picture to look at. Teams may also be more defensive or have a lower block when they play Liverpool which also makes it harder.
"Isak is a top class player, he will come good for sure. Didier Drogba took a while to settle at Chelsea, and other great strikers in history have also taken three or six months."
By contrast, Isak's replacement at Newcastle, Nick Woltemade, has scored six goals for Newcastle since his £69million move from Stuttgart and has 11 goals to his name for club and country this season.
And Mills feels Isak should look to Woltemade for an example of how to make your mark in a new team.
Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United
Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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"In stark contrast to Alexander Isak, you’ve got Nick Woltemade, who joined a settled Newcastle team, with a very clear way of playing and has looked very sharp and already bagged a few goals," Mills added.
"Getting off to a good start is vital, especially for a striker. As soon as that first league goal is scored, it’s a huge relief and there’s no more nervous anticipation about when your star signing will convert a chance.
"When you know you’re trying to make up for lost time, you can sometimes force things which often has the adverse effect. Add to that the expectations of the team as Premier League champions, who hit a very poor run of form and the whole situation goes from bad to worse.
"Woltemade doesn’t have the same pressure or scrutiny as Isak does - which you could argue is some of the Swede's own doing - but he can play with more freedom and relax a bit more, and that has allowed him to start strongly at St James’ Park."
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