Alexander Isak has endured a slow start at Liverpool with former Newcastle scout Paul Montgomery and Magpies legend Alan Shearer both having their say on the Swede’s struggles
Alexander Isak was relieved after scoring his first Premier League goal for Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images))
Alexander Isak has admittedly endured a slow start to his Liverpool career following his British record £125m move from Newcastle United. The Swede has only scored two goals for the Reds to date from his first 12 appearances for the club, with his first Premier League strike coming in last weekend’s victory over West Ham United.
But despite ending his drought against the Hammers, the striker’s performances remain the subject of scrutiny. Following his recent return from a groin injury, he has been limited to an average of 14 touches across his last three starts.
Arne Slot would defend the striker in his latest pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Leeds United on Saturday, but conceded his side do need to improve at getting the forward involved more in the final third.
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Admittedly, some of Isak’s woes are not unexpected. He had been left playing catch-up following his move to Anfield on transfer deadline day, having essentially gone on strike and trained alone at Newcastle in a bid to force an exit.
But former Magpies scout Paul Montgomery believes the striker would have always taken time to acclimatise at Liverpool regardless as he pointed out how the striker is having to adjust to a different playing style with the Reds.
“We saw what Isak can do at Newcastle,” he said on the Beyond the Back Four podcast. “One thing I’m negative about Isak is that his game has to change.
“His game was brilliant at Newcastle because they played on the counter at Newcastle, they played in behind the opposition defence which suited Isak because he’s quick.
“They used to play balls over the top and boom, Isak, (Jacob) Murphy, (Anthony) Gordon, they were all dangerous because of that.
“Now, he’s playing for Liverpool, who have the ball more and have to open doors more. It’s a different way to play that Isak has to learn.
“He needs more close control, to play more in the box. Most teams who play Liverpool have a brick wall you have to get through.
“Mentally, he has a different game he has to get to now because in the past the team played to his attributes; he isn’t going to get that at Liverpool.”
Magpies legend Alan Shearer had made a similar claim after seeing Isak score his first Premier League goal for Liverpool as he too took issue with how the Reds are feeding the striker the ball.
“I do think there were little signs that they are going to have to get used to him and also play earlier ball into him because a lot of what Alex does is off the cuff,” he told the Rest is Football podcast. “I know a lot of it was balls in behind, but also it is off the cuff and spontaneous.
“Not just for him but any striker – you have got to get the ball into the box early when you have got the opportunity to do it. To get the best out of him, you have got to do that.”
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer meets Alexander Isak.(Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, on Match of the Day, he said: “It’s about getting the very best from him, which at times he’s going to need help from his team-mates.
“He has to do better, obviously, we’ve not seen as much as we thought. But we saw it’s very much a work in progress.
“There were some really positive signs but also signs where he can definitely improve with his teammates’ understanding of what he needs to make his game better.
“This one he has every right to moan, shout, scream (at Joe Gomez), there’s no need to take a touch there, it’s a great ball to whip in.
“It doesn’t come in first time, it has to then come in second time with the left foot otherwise you’re doing the forward no good whatsoever. It’s a really good opportunity to get the ball into a forward who needs to be fed.
“Same thing again, I think that’s a good run, if he doesn’t get it the first time he has to get it the second time, again that ball has to come in. You can see him having a moan and he’s absolutely right.
“This (his goal) is what happens, this is how deadly he can be if you get the balls in at the right time, at the right pace. He works the space really well, doesn’t do a lot to create it, sometimes standing still is the best part, but that is a fantastic finish, that is what he’s all about.
“But he needs his team-mates to help him do it, there are so many times where the ball can come in earlier for him and go in behind.”