Liverpool star Alexander Isak has received plenty of support from his teammates after ending his wait to score a Premier League goal for the Reds since his record-breaking transfer in the summer
Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring a goal for Liverpool
Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool against West Ham
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It took a while, but Alexander Isak has finally broken his duck in the Premier League, scoring his first goal for Liverpool in the competition since signing for the club in the summer transfer window. The Reds paid £125 million to land the Swedish international, who had become a clinical goal-scorer while at Newcastle.
With his arrival, along with those of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and a new contract for Mohamed Salah, there was a feeling that the side would be unstoppable. They haven't all quite clicked yet, which has been evident in the struggles that the team have faced so far this season.
However, things started to fall a little more into place when Liverpool beat West Ham at the London Stadium, with the hope that the side can kick on and gain some momentum.
A defensively solid display was matched with the right balance of attacking intent, which saw plenty of key stars start to show some of their best side.
Wirtz's cutting through ball to Cody Gakpo saw him tee up Isak to coolly slot home his first Premier League goal in Liverpool red - with Gakpo contributing with a second goal late in the tie.
After a stop-start beginning of the campaign for the £125m striker, with injury and fitness battles alongside a general lack of balance in the team, there is a feeling that he could now kick on.
Isak took to Instagram after the win, posting a photo of his celebrations, which was met with plenty of love and support from his teammates in the comments.
Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai both posted heart emojis in response, while Rio Ngumoha and Curtis Jones both added fire emojis.
It was clear in Isak's initial celebration, and then in his celebration with his teammates, that he was delighted to get a goal which shook that initial weight off his shoulders.
He admitted as much when speaking to Sky Sports, when 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."
Arne Slot was asked about how long it took for Isak to land that goal, and defended the star's start to life at Liverpool when he told the press: "That's also a bit unfair to him because normally as a number nine, I think in general a number nine plays more minutes than I've played Alex until now – because of the obvious reasons.
"So even today I had to take him off after 65, I think. So yes, he's already played quite a lot of games but in terms of minutes not so much.
"And it's very important for us as a team that we went 1-0 up, but I think it was also important for him because I think it was his third chance, fourth of this game, and I don't think there was much more than 10 minutes in him to go. So to score just before you come off was important for us but also for him."
Liverpool welcome Sunderland to Anfield next up, with the aim of landing another three points to their tally, while Isak could have a chance to add another goal to his own personal record to fully kickstart his career at the club.