Alexander Isak believes he's still not at his best despite scoring his first Premier League goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
The Swedish striker scored the opener in Liverpool's 2-0 win at West Ham, with Cody Gakpo also finding the net. It's taken Isak almost three months to open his Premier League account for the Reds, having arrived from Newcastle in a £125 million ($165.6 million) deal.
Isak spoke to Sky Sports after Sunday's game and insists he's "still on the way" to rediscovering his best form. Liverpool needs the former Borussia Dortmund star to be at his best after slipping to eighth in the Premier League table after a tricky run.
The Reds lost nine of their previous 12 games heading into Sunday's game. "We knew it was going to be difficult to get back to winning ways after our recent form," said Isak. "Happy that we won and happy to be on the scoresheet as well."
The game was goalless at half-time, with Isak failing to take advantage of Florian Wirtz's creativity. Yet the forward produced an excellent finish in the 60th minute to make it 1-0.
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta was sent off in the 84th minute for dissent before Gakpo, who set up Isak's goal, completed the scoring in added time.
Cody Gakpo also scored on Sunday
Cody Gakpo also scored on Sunday (Image: Getty Images)
"When you are going through tough times as a team, it is about fighting," said Isak on Liverpool's first-half performance. "The boys did really well."
Isak was then asked about his goal, which is his first for the Reds since his strike against Southampton in the Carabao Cup in September. His Liverpool record now stands at two goals in 11 games in all competitions.
"I'm aware that it has been a long time coming, and I have been trying to get back to my best form," continued Isak.
"I'm still on the way, but I am happy to get that goal. The best feeling today is that we win the game, and that is the best way to get a good spirit in the group, but, of course, I am a striker, so scoring goals will always help me.
"We have to use this win in a good way, but also be humble. We have to stay focused and keep working hard to keep this momentum."
Reflecting on Liverpool's performance, Jamie Carragher said: "If you keep it really simple about Liverpool today - don't concede from a set piece, no big mistake at the back from maybe Konate or Kerkez, and one of your summer signings is outstanding.
"If they keep that up in the next few weeks, they could find themselves right in the middle of the Champions League positions. A million miles off the title race, but just to calm everything down, Liverpool need to be in those positions.
"If they ever got to a position where that was in real doubt, that would be the time when it would really intensify the pressure on the manager."