Alexander Isak is starting to shine for Liverpool and has scored six goals in seven Premier League outings so far this season
Alexander Isak ahead of Liverpool's Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea
Alexander Isak ahead of Liverpool's Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea(Image: (Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))
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Former Liverpool forward Emile Heskey believes Alexander Isak is finally looking more like the player that lit up St James’ Park for Newcastle United. Isak scored 44 Premier League goals in his last two seasons for the Magpies, and that impressive return prompted the Reds to splash out a British record £125m transfer fee on him last summer.
But in an injury-plagued first campaign at Anfield, the 27-year-old only found the net on three occasions in 14 top-flight appearances. However, under new Kop boss Andoni Iraola, Isak is starting to shine and has scored six goals in seven league outings so far this season.
And Heskey believes: “Isak is starting to show more of what we saw at Newcastle, and that is what got everyone connected with Liverpool excited when the club were first linked to him and then when he eventually joined.
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“In his recent outings, we've seen more and more of that. He’s looking sharper, he’s starting to score goals, and it looks like he’s starting to develop a relationship with Florian Wirtz.
“Of course, you still want a little bit more from him, because you always want more, but he's starting to show a little bit more of what he is. Long may that continue.”
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The Reds return to action this afternoon when they welcome Arsenal to Anfield, and Heskey believes it is the sort of game where the expensive trio of Isak, Wirtz and Bradley Barcola need to deliver.
“Well, they've got to be on fire to go against that defence,” the former forward said. “ We all know that Arsenal are one of the meanest defensive teams in world football.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola of Liverpool during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on October 25, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola celebrate after they combined again for Liverpool's second goal in their win over Brighton at Anfield (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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“I think they've got what it takes to play and upset them, of course. We've seen it time and time again with these players at previous clubs, but we need to see it for Liverpool.
“We need to see them attacking with intent, we need to see goals, we need to see them destroying defenders.
“Let’s also be mindful that this is essentially an attack that is still building chemistry together and things take time to click. It would be great to see those three players catch fire against Arsenal.”
Victory for Liverpool this afternoon would move them three points behind Mikel Arteta’s side in the Premier League table.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Ronald Araujo of Liverpool celebrates after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on October 25, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Ronald Araujo celebrates after Liverpool's win over Brighton (Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
And although Iraola brushed off any talk of challenging for the title on Friday, Heskey believes a win for his old side will get supporters talking about them being contenders.
“For a club like Liverpool, with our ambitions, whenever you're playing against your rivals, you've got to beat them really," he said.
“It doesn’t always work out like that and there's always going to be blips. There's always going to be games that you don’t win. That's the beautiful thing about the Premier League.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
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“I won't put everything on this game, but yeah, playing Arsenal, the current champions, at home, it’s the type of game where we could really set standards for the rest of the season and get people talking about Liverpool as title contenders.”
Heskey, speaking via BestBettingSites.co.uk, then concluded: “I think there's pressure, but I don't know if it's because of that loss to Manchester City.
“I think there's pressure because we're Liverpool Football Club. You need to be winning games, you need to be challenging at the top.
“We need to be really pushing and challenging for titles. What an opportunity to make a statement when the champions come to town.”