Alan Shearer has had his say after Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool in their 2-0 win at West Ham United at the London Stadium
Alan Shearer has been speaking about Alexander Isak's first Liverpool Premier League goal
Alan Shearer has been speaking about Alexander Isak's first Liverpool Premier League goal
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Alan Shearer has praised Alexander Isak after the forward scored his first goal in the Premier League for Liverpool. Isak had just one Carabao Cup goal to his name following his protracted £125million summer switch to Anfield from Newcastle United.
Shearer had been critical of the forward’s actions during the transfer saga, calling it a "messy situation" and "a really bad look for football". But after the Sweden international’s well-taken strike against the Hammers, which helped Arne Slot’s side return to winning ways after a run of nine defeats in 12 matches in all competitions, the former Newcastle skipper was full of praise for the forward.
“They were crying out for a piece of quality, and Isak produced that piece of quality in terms of that finish,” he told the Rest is Football podcast.
When asked directly by Gary Lineker if he was happy for Isak, Shearer showed his class by dismissively replying: “Yeah, that’s gone. It is gone," indicating he has let bygones be bygones.
Shearer added: "If you actually, you will have seen Match of the Day by the time this comes out, I do think there were little signs that they are going to have to get used to him and also play earlier ball into him because a lot of what Alex does is off the cuff.
“I know a lot of it was balls in behind, but also it is off the cuff and spontaneous. Not just for him but any striker – you have got to get the ball into the box early when you have got the opportunity to do it.
“To get the best out of him, you have got to do that, and when they did it, his half-volley finish was class. A fantastic finish, and that was the bit of quality that Liverpool needed.
“I don’t think it mattered about performance for Liverpool; Arne Slot had to make a couple of big decisions, and he did. He left Mo Salah out, and he had to win the game, and I think with him winning it and Isak scoring, you would think it would give them a little bit of belief and confidence.
“I think they have got Sunderland at home next game; they are going really well, but it is at Anfield, and it was just about winning today, but I thought West Ham were poor and offered very little. I don’t think they had one shot on target all game.”
Alexander Isak celebrates with his Liverpool team-mates after scoring against West Ham United
Alexander Isak celebrates with his Liverpool team-mates after scoring against West Ham United
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Cody Gakpo’s stoppage-time strike sealed a 2-0 win for Liverpool, and speaking after the game, Isak admitted his first Premier League goal for the Reds had been a long time coming.
He said: "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.
"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.
"We knew it was going to be difficult to get back to winning ways after our recent form. Happy that we won and happy to be on the scoresheet as well."
Shearer, meanwhile, was also full of praise for Newcastle after Eddie Howe's men dismantled Everton 4-1 thanks to a Malick Thiaw brace and goals from Nick Woltemade and Lewis Miley.
"That's what Newcastle are all about, that performance I think," he said. "It was a great performance and a great win there. Marseille, after losing that game the way they did. I know he changed the goalkeeper, Nick Pope, and said he was injured. I don't know whether or not he was or whether he's protecting him or what, I don't know, but that was a big call, I think, putting [Aaron] Ramsdale in, but that was much more like it.
"Great energy, big centre forward was very good, and he took his goal superbly well. Clever finish, wasn't it? And I also say, he's been a brilliant signing Thiaw, Malick Thiaw, he's been superb he has and a couple of goals as well. Big performance and a big win and exactly what Newcastle needed with two big home matches coming up."
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