Alexander Isak's Premier League goal drought continuesplaceholder image
Alexander Isak's Premier League goal drought continues | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
One former Premier League star has been reflecting on a tough start to life at Anfield for one Liverpool signing
Former Chelsea and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has branded Liverpool star Alexander Isak as the biggest flop so far this season but believes the player’s agent is partly to blame.
Isak has struggled to make a major impact at Anfield following a British-record £125m move from Newcastle United. He has made 10 appearances in all competitions, with one goal and one assist to his name.
His minutes have been limited, as he has averaged 52 minutes per appearance - after he missed all of pre-season training with Newcastle in a bid to secure his move to Liverpool - which was finally confirmed on deadline day.
The Sweden international’s form has not been the only concern at Liverpool, with the Reds losing nine of their last 12 games which has ramped up the pressure on manager Arne Slot.
Shaun Wright-Phillips criticises Alexander Isak agent
"I think the agent has to take plenty of the blame. Everything about that move was handled in the wrong way. There was no reason for him to miss training, and he would have been advised to do that, to kick up a stink. I think that was a bad idea, and he should have gone to training and got a full pre-season behind him. Whether he was at Newcastle or Liverpool, he’d have hit the ground running. Now he’s chasing everyone, two weeks behind, playing catch-up.
"When you miss pre-season, you’re at more risk of breaking down and getting injured. You get thrown into games without proper conditioning. It’s all well and good training on your own but it just doesn’t match up to a pre-season with your teammates. It’s not enough work.
"The workload and strengthening they’re doing is completely different, so he needs to catch up. He needs to do it quickly, too, because he looks uncomfortable right now."
How Arne Slot can get the best out of Alexander Isak - and Hugo Ekitike
The big debate when Isak joined Liverpool was could there be room for two top strikers. Hugo Ekitike had already been signed by Liverpool in a deal worth around £78m. He has enjoyed a positive start to his Anfield career but has rarely played with Isak.
Slot is not able to get the best out of many of his Liverpool players currently but one way he could get Isak and Ekitike in the team is by playing a formation with two strikers. Ekitike has played on the left with Isak through the middle.
However, with Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo struggling for form, Slot should take the risk with a new formation that puts Isak and Ekitike in the team. It might just be what gets Isak up and running and what helps Slot keep his job.
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