Alexander Isak has three goals in as many games for Liverpool so far this season.
Alexander Isak of Liverpool celebrates after scoring against Ipswich Town
Alexander Isak of Liverpool celebrates after scoring against Ipswich Town(Image: Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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Liverpool fans got a glimpse of the version of Alexander Isak they were expecting, after the Reds paid a club record £125m for the Swedish striker last summer, when he netted a quick-fire double against Ipswich Town on Friday evening.
But according to the Premier League's all-time record goalscorer, Alan Shearer, it didn't happen by accident.
Isak has been much criticised for his controversial switch from Newcastle United to Anfield, after a debut season dogged by fitness issues that saw the 26-year-old score just four times in 22 appearances in all competitions.
But the striker has already matched his Premier League goal tally of last season (three) after just three games of the new campaign, after scoring against Nottingham Forest before notching a first-half brace against the Tractor Boys at Portman Road.
Isak was twice set up by decisive through-balls from teammate Cody Gakpo and former England striker Shearer, who scored an astonishing 260 Premier League goals, insists that finding the Swede quickly is the key to opening the floodgates going forward.
Speaking to Gary Lineker about the £125m man on the Rest is Football podcast, Shearer said: "Did you see what happened? I said it. If you're going to get the best out of Isak, you have to play early balls in behind and Liverpool haven't been doing that. And they did it this weekend.
"His two goals were brilliant. Say what you want about the goalkeeper. But the way that he shifted his feet, the way the passes in behind from Gakpo, wasn't it. Early balls, quick balls, running in behind, into his path. That's how he'll get the best out of Alexander Isak. Playing balls like that.
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"Playing balls from out wide, I should say, and he's brilliant at doing that. There's not many better. Once he gets you lined up one-v-one, the way he shifts his feet. But you have to play those quick balls into his feet in behind to get the best. His finishes were superb."
Isak is largely carrying the burden of the centre forward position for the foreseeable future, with Hugo Ekitike still on the long-term injured list. The Frenchman netted 17 times for the Reds last season, including 11 league goals, before sustaining a serious Achilles injury during the Champions League quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain that ended his season.
Isak will be hoping to score his first Champions League goal for the Reds on Wednesday evening when Liverpool host Atletico Madrid at Anfield for Match Day One.
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