Liverpool star Alexander Isak will be hoping for a more successful campaign this time around, after he struggled last season, with the early signs being promising for the striker
Alexander Isak poses during the official UEFA Champions League 2026/27 portrait session
Alexander Isak has been predicted to kick on with Liverpool this season(Image: (Photo by Karl Bridgeman - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))
Both Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have predicted that Alexander Isak will enjoy a breakout campaign with Liverpool this season, after an impressive start with the Reds so far.
The Swedish international struggled in the previous season, following a Premier League record transfer from Newcastle United, as a lack of preseason and an unfortunate leg break meant he was unable to build any momentum.
Three goals in 14 league appearances summed up a difficult time for the striker, but the new season has brought about fresh hope, with a full preseason already seemingly going a long way to helping him rediscover his best form. Isak has already matched last season's Premier League tally in just three games, with a clash away at Ipswich Town proving to be his best display so far, picking up two quickfire goals to get back to his potent best.
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There is some hope that this is just the start for the 26-year-old, who is among those who will want to show they are worth the huge fee that the Reds paid last summer.
With that in mind, both Shearer and Richards have predicted the Liverpool start to keep on progressing, believing that he can bring even more to the table.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer claimed: "Did you see what happened? I said it, didn’t I, last week? If you are 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. I mean, his two goals were brilliant. Say what you want about the goalkeeper, but the way he shifted his feet, the way the pass is in behind from Gakpo, wasn’t it?
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)
“Early balls, quick balls, running in behind, into his path – that’s how you will get the best out of Alexander Isak. Playing balls like that, playing balls from in, from out wide I should say.
“And he’s brilliant at doing that. There’s not many better, once he gets you liked up one-v-one, the way he shifts his feet, but you have to play those quick balls into his feet and in behind to get the best. And his finishes were superb.”
Richards added: "He has come from a bad injury, hasn’t he? I think you guys [Shearer and Gary Lineker] have had injuries as well, and it takes a while to get back to your best, doesn’t it?
“First, you have got to deal with that, and then you have got to deal with being at a massive club where everyone expects you to do well because of what you have done at Newcastle, equally as big a club.
“But then if you come into a team where the guy who’s sort of brought in as second fiddle, Ekitike, is scoring goals, and then your confidence is shot because of the transfer fee being bought for as well, then you have not had a preseason on top of that; he’s not superhuman.
“There was going to be a period in the season where he wasn’t going to be at his best, now he has had a proper preseason. He did okay at the World Cup. Now you are probably going to see the real Isak, but he needs to, because he is a top-quality player."
“I think also the dislike from, not just from Newcastle fans but fans in general, because of what he did and how he got out of Newcastle, I think mentally, clearly he had to deal with that," Shearer added.
“With him not playing and not training and not turning up, whatever, I think that doesn’t go well with fans, does it? So, that would have been tough for him as well.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: Alexander Isak of Liverpool applauds the fans after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool FC at Portman Road on September 04, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak will hope his goals against Ipswich can kick-start his Liverpool career(Image: Getty Images)
“I have no sympathy for that, but when you are seeing those balls played like that, then there’s not many better than him once he gets you lined up.
“Remember when he got Van Dijk lined up at St. James’? That’s the balls you need to play into him because he’s brilliant at that.”
Andoni Iraola will certainly be hoping he can create more of that with Isak moving forward, which could finally see the striker get back to his very best for Liverpool at the right time.