Jamie Carragher has called out one factor relating to Alexander Isak's progress at Liverpool that he believes could become a major issue
Alexander Isak of Liverpool leaves the game injured during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Jamie Carragher has raised a serious concern regarding Alexander Isak and whether he'll come good at Liverpool(Image: 2025 Marc Atkins)
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Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has cast doubt as to whether Alexander Isak will live up to his billing at Anfield. The Premier League's all-time record signing has endured a hellish first season on Merseyside following his £125million move from Newcastle last summer.
Isak, 26, scored his fourth goal for the club in Saturday's 3-1 win at home to Crystal Palace. His outing against the Eagles marked his third start since coming back from the leg fracture he suffered against Tottenham in December.
However, a long road lies ahead before the Swede can be considered to have justified his eye-watering expense. And Carragher is mightily concerned given, in his experience, no player ever really took off at Liverpool following a bad debut campaign.
"[The big-spending summer] hasn't worked," he told the ECHO. "It might work in the future because I don't think you can judge every signing in the first year.
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"But I've said this before; my experience as a Liverpool player, every player who came to the club, I can't remember one who didn't really do much in his first season, and then was a revelation afterwards. Isak hasn't got going. He obviously got the injury, but he didn't look great to start with."
Jamie Carragher speaking on Sky Sports punditry duty
Carragher is concerned Isak won't be able to justify his price-tag after a terrible debut season at Liverpool(Image: Sky Sports Premier League)
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Isak's case is somewhat special in that there are a number of caveats to consider. Arne Slot's side were in a state of transition after lifting the Premier League title last season, and fitting £446million worth of new talent into the squad has brought challenges of its own.
The striker's leg injury at the tail end of 2026 also dented his aspirations even further, effectively making this term a write-off as the team struggled all the more in his absence. To that end, Champions League-winner Carragher provided some insight regarding what he feels needs to happen this summer to get back to title contention.
"In terms of what Liverpool need to do next season, well obviously they need to replace [Mohamed] Salah," he continued. "I think for me, three players need to come straight into the team.
"You can't go on and buy five players into the team. Liverpool bought a lot of players last summer, so they are not going to buy a load this summer."
The ageing form of Salah and, at times, Virgil van Dijk, coupled with Alisson's injury issues, have hampered Liverpool at times. Those three stars alone have been so critical to the Reds' recent era of success that it's only natural the team should suffer when they're either lacking form or unavailable.
However, one can't blame fans for feeling that excuse only goes so far in light of a £446m summer outlay. And while Isak may get a pass for underwhelming this season, Liverpool risk being responsible for the biggest flop signing in Premier League history unless there's a marked improvement next term.
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