Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has been criticized for his display against his former side, Newcastle, as the Swedish forward struggled to make an impact on Sunday
Alexander Isak has been criticized following his performance for Liverpool against Newcastle
Alexander Isak has been criticized following his performance for Liverpool against Newcastle(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
Alexander Isak would have dreamed of scoring on his return to Premier League action while silencing his former employer, Newcastle, when the Premier League fixtures were announced in June.
It wasn't quite to be for the Swedish international, however, as his afternoon of jeers and abuse from the St. James' Park faithful didn't end with him being the one to quieten them down.
Instead, it was his teammate, Dominik Szoboszlai, who did the honors. The midfielder slammed home a penalty in stoppage time to salvage a late draw for Liverpool, which had to battle back twice from behind to earn a point.
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Goals from Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock, either side of a strike from Cody Gakpo, had left the Reds scrambling to find a way back into the game.
That was handed to the visitors with a penalty late on, which was dispatched and ultimately silenced the crowd, but it wasn't quite the return that Isak would've wanted.
The striker struggled to make the ball stick to him in the match, and when he was handed opportunities to score, he wasn't able to capitalize.
It led to yet more questions about how the club-record signing fits into the team, and whether Andoni Iraola will be able to get the best out of him.
Michael Owen has offered his thoughts
Michael Owen has offered his thoughts(Image: Getty Images)
Much of last season was written off through a lack of preseason and a broken leg that disrupted his momentum, but for former striker Michael Owen, the chance to show his quality is starting to run out.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he was asked about Isak not taking the late spot-kick, and said: "If you aren't the allocated penalty taker, then I don't think you should take it. We have seen people squabbling on the pitch many times over the years. He was already under a lot of pressure, so imagine grabbing the ball in the 97th minute and not scoring."
On the star's fitness levels and ability to get up to speed, Owen added: "I know how hard it is to get back and you do need time. He has been given plenty of time - he finished the season in the team, then went to the World Cup and has had a pre-season.
"Now he is starting to run out of excuses. We need to see the real Isak. We saw how good he can be at Newcastle, but we haven't seen it in a red shirt yet. Questions will come now. At the start of the season, there are expectations, and Liverpool needs him.
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"Salah has gone, Ekitike is out, and he needs to deliver. Against Newcastle, he was a yard off it, and that is worrying. He is the big-money signing, and I can't say he played well because he didn't."
The 26-year-old has a task on his hands to find his best form once again, as both he and the manager must find ways to get that out of him.
Whether that is possible remains to be seen, but Liverpool cannot afford to have another season where he scores just three Premier League goals.