Alexander Isak's injury record has come under the microscope once again after the striker missed Liverpool's 3-2 defeat at Manchester United with a groin strain
Paul Gorst Liverpool FC correspondent
07:50, 07 May 2026
Alexander Isak's move from Newcastle to Liverpool has been a nightmare
Alexander Isak is hoping for a better season next year(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Former midfielder Don Hutchison has taken aim at Liverpool, accusing the club of arrogance in their pursuit of both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak last summer.
Hutchison, who represented the Reds for three years between 1991 and 1994, has stated he would have "broken the bank" for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez last summer rather than splashing a British-record £125m to bring Isak to Anfield from Newcastle United.
Liverpool pipped Newcastle to the signature of Ekitike when they forked out £79m to secure his services from Eintracht Frankfurt in July, before Isak was subsequently added to the squad from the Magpies themselves on 1 September.
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Isak, who arrived unfit following his acrimonious departure from Newcastle, was then ruled out for four months with a leg break sustained in December, and missed Sunday's 3-2 defeat at Manchester United with what has been described as a minor groin strain.
Speaking to BestBettingSites, Hutchison was scathing about the decision to bring in the Sweden international, saying: "Can Isak score 20 goals next season? Twenty appearances. That's more likely.
"I mean, it's not just the Isak thing, in my opinion. I think Premier League footballers now need to toughen up a lot because I'm seeing far too many players pull out with things like niggles.
Alexander Isak has struggled in his debut season wiith Liverpool
Alexander Isak has struggled in his debut season wiith Liverpool
"'Oh, he's got a niggle. He won't be fit this week; he'll be fit next week.' Take an injection, man. Get yourself fit.
"If I'm Alexander Isak, the first question I'm asking my physios and the doctors for a game against Manchester United with a groin injury is: 'Can I get an injection so I can play against Man United?' 'Yes, you can.' 'Right, give me it then.'
"It goes back to when Liverpool signed Ekitike. I wouldn't have signed Alexander Isak; I would have broken the bank for Julian Alvarez. I don't know in what world, really, you sign two Harry Kanes, you sign two Erling Haalands - you signed two Isaks in him and Ekitike.
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"They're both the same player. So again, it goes back to the board and what they thought. Maybe the board were arrogant and thought: 'Yeah, we'll get Ekitike. Yeah, we'll get Wirtz. Yeah, we'll get Isak. We're going to be amazing.' Sometimes you've got to buy the right players for the team."
Hutchison, who featured 60 times during his spell with the Reds, added: "And the elephant in the room as well is we haven't seen the best of Jeremie Frimpong and we haven't seen the best of Florian Wirtz.
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"Xabi Alonso managed these two guys at Leverkusen last season. So, it screams to me: bring him in to get the best out of those two and to add more style and substance to what Liverpool have got."
Liverpool return to action when they host Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime.