Alexander Isak finally opened his Premier League account for Liverpool on Sunday after a difficult first few months with the Reds.
So much expectation has been placed on the Swede’s shoulders after arriving for a record transfer fee from Newcastle, but he has so far failed to fully deliver.
There are plenty of mitigating factors behind his slow start, but one goal in his first 10 Liverpool appearances had supporters questioning whether Isak will ever be a success at Anfield.
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Alexander Isak shakes hands with Arne Slot after being substituted during Liverpool's Premier League match against West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Two in 11 is not much better, but a sensational finish to open the scoring at West Ham did at least showcase the clinical edge Isak showed so often at Newcastle.
One man who witnessed that first hand was Magpies hero Alan Shearer, and having watched the No. 9 closely against West Ham, the Premier League‘s top goal scorer of all time analysed how Liverpool players can ensure the striker finds the net much more often moving forward.
Liverpool teammates to blame for Alexander Isak’s lean return
While watching Isak’s first clutch of appearances for Liverpool, it has been clear that he is not yet on the same wavelength as most of his teammates.
That continued on Sunday where, despite his goal, Isak was frustrated for much of his 68 minutes on the pitch. Analysing his performance on Match of the Day, Shearer highlighted three occasions where the Sweden international had every right to have a moan.
Alexander Isak before West Ham United v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
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“It’s about getting the very best from him, which at times he’s going to need help from his teammates” Shearer said.
“He has to do better, obviously, we’ve not seen as much as we thought. But today we saw it’s very much a work in progress. There were some really positive signs but also signs where he can definitely improve with his teammates’ understanding what he needs to make his game better.
“This one he has every right to moan, shout, scream (at Joe Gomez), there’s no need to take a touch there, it’s a great ball to whip in. It doesn’t come in first time, it has to then come in second time with the left foot otherwise you’re doing the forward no good whatsoever. It’s a really good opportunity to get the ball into a forward who needs to be fed.”
Alexander Isak reacts after finally breaking his Premier League duck for Liverpool
“I’m aware that it has been a long time coming and I have been trying to get back to my best form. 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. “
Alexander Isak on his goal against West Ham
Shearer then highlighted another opportunity involving Gomez, who got mixed up high on the right hand side, eventually losing the ball to the defender instead of finding Isak early on, before showing how Cody Gakpo and then Milos Kerkez ignored good runs from Isak within seconds of each other.
“Same thing again, I think that’s a good run, if he doesn’t get it the first time he has to get it the second time, again that ball has to come in. You can see him having a moan and he’s absolutely right.”
Shearer praises Isak finish
Had Isak not eventually scored on Sunday, these examples would have been held up as yet more proof that the British record transfer signing is destined to fail at Liverpool.
But what a difference a goal makes in a game of football, and for Isak, this one was perfectly timed.
Shearer is used to seeing the former Newcastle man deliver such moments, and he praised Isak for a ‘fantastic’ finish which highlights exactly why Liverpool were so determined to land him.
“This is what happens, this is how deadly he can be if you get the balls in at the right time, at the right pace,” said the pundit.
“He works the space really well, doesn’t do a lot to create it, sometimes standing still is the best part, but that is a fantastic finish, that is what he’s all about. But he needs his teammates to help him do it, there are so many times where the ball can come in earlier for him and go in behind.”
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