Arne Slot has praised Alexander Isak, with the striker explaining that scoring goals is the “best way to finding your form again.”
It’s fair to say that Isak’s first season as a Reds player has been a big disappointment, having arrived as the club’s record signing last summer.
The Swede has managed just four goals in 21 appearances, breaking his leg in December and struggling to ever look fully fit.
Isak opened the scoring in the 3-1 win at home to Palace, and speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, he spoke of his happiness after bagging his first goal for Liverpool since his injury.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak scores the first goal, his first in 2026, during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Isak said: “I’ve been battling getting back to full fitness and obviously scoring a goal is probably the best way to finding your form again.
“Obviously I’m really happy.”
Isak also outlined his strikers’ instincts by dissecting his goal, having brought down Alexis Mac Allister‘s shot expertly.
“I felt like that shot was not going in so I kind of intercepted it and it became a good touch,” he added.
“Then I managed to put it into the back of the net.”
Arne Slot delighted to have Alexander Isak back
Isak’s impact at Anfield on Saturday wasn’t lost on Arne Slot, who is relieved to have his striker back fit after a tough campaign.
“It’s really nice that he scored one because when we signed him we knew he could score goals and that’s what he showed today,” Slot told reporters.
“Many times this season we’ve had better chances than we had today, that’s why it’s also important to have players that can score also goals like this, because that can give you a big lift in a game.
“That is what we’ve missed for eight or nine months because he wasn’t available and when he was available, as we all know, he was available but wasn’t at the level he can be.”
A big second season for Alexander Isak at Liverpool?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring the first goal, his first in 2026, during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Isak has underwhelmed at Liverpool so far, but there are clear reasons for it, so an overreaction is uncalled for.
The 26-year-old wasn’t close to match fit when he joined, following an acrimonious exit from Newcastle, and he was playing in a struggling Reds side with a lack of service.
Just when Isak was gaining some momentum, he broke his leg while scoring against Spurs, and he only returned this month.
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak features in his first appearance since January during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at the Parc des Princes. PSG won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
But on top form, he is one of the world’s best strikers – one who scored 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle – and the hope is that a full pre-season will have him primed in August.
New attacking signings should also aid him, with pace out wide needed, and Florian Wirtz should go up a level, too, creating for him at will.
If Isak starts next season slowly, there will be reason for concern, but there is every chance that we will see a very different player.