Alexander Isak admits he has no explanation for his struggles since joining Liverpool in a British record deal worth £125 million, but is drawing on past experience.
Isak joined Liverpool on deadline day at the beginning of September, and three-and-a-half months later has only scored twice in 15 games for the club.
It is far from what was expected of a player who forced his move by refusing to take part in pre-season with Newcastle and cost the Premier League champions a record £125 million to sign.
But in an in-depth interview with newspaper Aftonbladet upon receiving the Swedish Player of the Year award, Isak insisted it was “not the first time” he has suffered like this.
Isak’s Aftonbladet interview: “No answer” for form
• The headline quote: Alexander Isak admits he is unsure why his start at Anfield has been “slow” but insists he is focused on “turning that around” rather than dwelling on the numbers.
• Finding “balance”: The striker explains he has learned to stay “never too high, never too low,” using his mental growth to navigate the pressure of a British record transfer fee.
• Career perspective: Drawing on “tough periods” at Dortmund and Real Sociedad, the 26-year-old vows to “fight his way out” of his current form ahead of the trip to Tottenham.
“I don’t really have the answer to that,” he said when asked about his form since joining Liverpool.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 30, 2025: Liverpool's Alexander Isak reacts to his shot going over the bar during the FA Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC at the London Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“The team-wise thing – it’s clear that it’s been slow, but that’s how it is in football.
“There are always teams that are flying, and then it’s slower for others. It’s about turning that around.
“And for me too…it’s not the first time in my career that I’ve gone through a period like this, or been in bad shape.
“That’s how a football career works, it’s just something you have to fight your way out of.”
The obvious caveat when it comes to Isak’s tough start to life at Anfield is that he arrived short of fitness and match sharpness, having not played or trained with a team since May.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 30, 2025: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC at the London Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
But there are understandable concerns that he still has not managed to get up to speed over three months on – and particularly how out of sorts he seems when it comes to Arne Slot‘s tactics compared to Hugo Ekitike.
However Isak is adamant he has the experience to deal with his current turmoil.
“As I said: never too high, never too low. Trying to find that balance, that’s what I feel I’ve gotten better at,” he continued.
“That’s always what you hope for, that everything will just flow. But not everything goes as planned, and then you have to take it as it comes.”
Isak’s experience before Liverpool: 5 different clubs in 5 different countries
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 4, 2025: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• AIK (Sweden; 2016-17): 29 games, 13 goals
• Dortmund (Germany; 2017-19): 13 games, 1 goal
• Willem II (Netherlands; 2019): 18 games, 14 goals
• Real Sociedad (Spain; 2019-22): 132 games, 44 goals
• Newcastle (England; 2022-25): 109 games, 62 goals
• Liverpool (England; 2025-Present): 15 games, 2 goals
Though he only turned 26 in September, Isak’s journey to Liverpool took him to five different clubs in five different countries – which included a disappointing spell with Dortmund and formative stints at Willem II, Real Sociedad and Newcastle.
“I don’t know. I wouldn’t pick any one, it’s all experiences. Good, bad,” he said when asked about the most difficult period of his career so far.
“And I’ve had tougher periods in every team I’ve been in, except for the loan in Holland. In Dortmund, in Spain, in Newcastle and here.
“I’m not too focused on that, on where it was the toughest. I see it as experiences that hopefully make me come out the other side a better person and player.”
Isak is expected to return to the starting lineup when Liverpool visit Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday night – with another opportunity to add to his goal tally.