Robbie Fowler has doubts about Alexander Isak, but still thinks he could be the main man at Liverpool.
Those doubts stem from Isak’s lengthy injury. The Liverpool legend isn’t sure he will get up to speed by the end of the season. He may well feature heavily for Arne Slot in the final weeks, but we shouldn’t expect the levels he showed at Newcastle before making the switch to Anfield.
That being said, Fowler expects big things, claiming Isak could be the club’s most important signing in recent times. He said as much in a sit-down interview, discussing how Liverpool can get the most out of the £125 million Swede, and why he thinks this season might have been written off long ago.
Which one should be Liverpool’s manager next season❓
Arne Slot before Brighton and Hove Albion v Liverpool - Premier League. Enzo Maresca Manager on the sidelines during the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Leicester City.
Credit: Justin Setterfield/Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar/Getty Images
Robbie Fowler thinks Liverpool are thinking about the bigger picture with Alexander Isak
Fowler is one of the greatest Liverpool players of all time. His praise comes with weight.
Speaking to This Is Anfield, he analysed a rather quiet debut season at Liverpool and why that might have been the plan even before he went down with a nasty injury.
He says: “Yeah, he’s brilliant. I mean, I spoke before about him being one of these players who, again, can change games. He’s a player that Liverpool have earmarked, maybe, for life after Mo. Okay, they are different positions, obviously, but there’s going to be a role for him, but that means bringing other players in, in different roles, to try and help him.
“Probably playing the way we are this year didn’t help Isak, it didn’t help Ekitike, because of obviously players coming in and, you know, trying to feed balls in. As a striker, you want someone to be whipping balls in so you can go and attack the front post or go and attack the far post.”
Alexander Isak of Liverpool FC looks on during the UEFA
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
The system was not getting the best out of Liverpool’s attackers, Isak in particular. We know how clinical he is, so just two goals in ten Premier League appearances is evidence of a larger issue.
Even Ekitike, who has gone on some hot scoring streaks over the course of the campaign, has gone through periods of extreme quiet. Playmaking has often looked stagnant, and there are clearly some teething issues with their new-look attack.
Fowler has a theory, though. He suggests Liverpool weren’t expecting to retain the title this season.
He explains: “So we’ve probably not played to their strengths, so that tells me that Liverpool have always had a little bit of a plan in the future to bring them in and maybe, no one will ever admit this, but maybe the season, a bit of a write-off in terms of that, where we sort of transition.
“I mean, I hate that word, transition, but maybe that was the bigger plan all along, the bigger picture. Still want to do well and still believe that we’ll do well, of course, but he’s a player who will score goals and I think he’ll be brilliant for Liverpool.”
It’s hard to imagine Liverpool came into the season not wanting to win, but it is plausible that they expected an adjustment period that could harm their chances of going back-to-back in the Premier League.
They brought in three major players, after all. Isak at the top of the list.
They probably didn’t expect it to get as bad as it has at points this season, but it would also explain FSG’s unwavering support for Slot.
Fowler predicts what will happen with Alexander Isak at Liverpool
Isak could return against Man City, and that would be a massive boost for the squad. His injury was serious, though, so it will be a gradual process that might not be fully complete before the season ends.
That’s what Fowler thinks. He isn’t expecting Prime Isak in the weeks ahead.
He explains: “I think he’s a brilliant player, but with the injuries, I’m not sure whether we’ll see the best of him this year. When we see a fit and firing Alexander Isak, he could probably be the most important signing that this club has made for a long time.
“We’ve seen him obviously come to Liverpool, and for whatever reason, he wasn’t fit. I don’t know the ins and outs of why he wasn’t, but it took him a while to get up to speed, which is why I’m saying that we probably won’t see the best of him this year, even if he does come back.”
Rank Alexander Isak against these past and present Liverpool strikers!
Alexander Isak during Leeds United v Liverpool - Premier League
Credit: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images
As for the future with Isak leading the line, Fowler can’t wait to see the best of him.
He concludes: “I can’t wait to see him. He excites me. I love goalscorers, obviously, but I love good players. And for me, he’s a quality player.”
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox