Emile Heskey Sets “Minimum” Goal Target For Alexander Isak
Former Liverpool forward Emile Heskey is expecting Alexander Isak to make at least “20 goal contributions” this season.
The Swedish international has struggled with form and fitness since his British record move from Newcastle last year, but he has started the 2026/27 campaign brightly. Speaking to Tribal Football about what he wants to see from Isak, Heskey said:
“It’s a season where he needs to show his form. Nobody is questioning Isak’s ability because we’ve seen it. The question is whether he can play in that system and in that team. Now he’s slowly starting to understand and show that he understands how the others around him are playing. You’ve seen that he can finish. That first finish – wow (against Ipswich). We know he can finish.”
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“You’ve just got to give him the opportunities to do that. He’ll have a target in his head for goals this season. What do you think it should be? I think 20 goal contributions would be the minimum he should be looking at. We’ve seen that he can get to that level, so why not?”
The Reds need to replace the goals they’ve lost following Mo Salah’s departure from the club, and Heskey thinks Isak has to step up to the plate:
“It’s something we need from a striker, especially when you lose 30-plus goals a season in Mo Salah. You’ve got to step up and be the one who gets those goals. For far too long we’ve relied on Mo and said, “Mo will get you 30 goals. Mo will get you 35 goals.” The funny thing with Mo was that he could score 22 or 23 goals and we’d say he’d had a bad season. Now others have got to step up because we haven’t got that anymore. I don’t think Gakpo is going to be the one who gets you 25 or 26 goals. Rio isn’t going to get you that. These wingers aren’t the same as Mo.”
Isak is still adapting to Iraola’s style of play
It does sound like head coach Andoni Iraola is very much on the striker’s case on a daily basis. Speaking after he scored his brace against Ipswich Town last week, the Liverpool boss revealed he has had fights with Isak about his work rate.
Ahead of the Fulham fixture, Iraola was keen to emphasise that he is happy with the 26-year-old’s output, but the player is still getting to grips with what he requires from a no.9.
Keeping the Liverpool star fit is vital
Ensuring that Isak stays on the pitch has been the biggest challenge over the past 12 months. He arrived at Anfield last September lacking match fitness, and then broke his leg, which effectively ended his season. He returned for the last couple of months, but muscular problems continued to curtail his game time.
With a full pre-season under his belt, the Swede seems to be reaping the benefits, having found the back of the net 3 times in 4 appearances so far.
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