Ian Doyle with the main talking point from Liverpool's Premier League clash at West Ham United on Sunday afternoon
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Alexander Isak of Liverpool celebrates with Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium on November 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak shakes hands with Arne Slot after coming off in Liverpool's vital 2-0 victory at West Ham United
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Liverpool supporters had seen it all before. And that was becoming the problem for Alexander Isak.
So when West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola spread himself to make an outstanding point-blank save from the striker in the first half here, the fear was recent service was being continued.
For a player who was a regular scorer in the past two seasons with Newcastle United, the barren run in the top flight – which stretched back almost six months going into this game – had become almost as heavy a weight around Isak's neck as the British record £125million fee that eventually took him to Anfield in the summer.
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The relief, then, was tangible when, with the clock ticking on to an hour and Arne Slot’s side growing frustrated at their inability to turn territorial dominance into a lead, Isak gave a demonstration of the kind of finishing Liverpool supporters had all seen before – occasionally at their own expense.
After a clever pass from Florian Wirtz was cut invitingly back into the danger zone by Cody Gakpo, Isak, standing 12 yards out, hardly broke stride before sidefooting a finish that flashed past Areola into the bottom corner.
The subsequent somewhat muted celebrations betrayed the significance of the strike, both for the player and his team.
A big goal for Isak, it was also a big goal for Slot at the start of three games in seven days that could well shape the future – both immediate and long-term – of his tenure.
Dismal back-to-back home defeats to Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven had cranked up the pressure on the Reds boss after his side's dismal run was extended to nine defeats in 12 games.
While there has been no suggestion among the Anfield hierarchy that Slot’s position was under threat, sections of the online fanbase had already called time on the Dutchman.
But the travelling Kop made their feelings clear when, after 36 minutes and again a quarter-of-an-hour before the end, they chanted his name before a much more audible show of support when given a trademark thumbs up from Slot after the final whistle.
When Isak was replaced with 25 minutes remaining, he was afforded a hug by Slot on his way to the dugout.
The striker had delivered for his head coach just when it was needed the most. After such a false start, Liverpool will hope now begins the start of a fruitful relationship.