{"id":516457,"date":"2025-10-21T07:43:23","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T07:43:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/516457\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T07:43:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T07:43:23","slug":"9m-striker-drops-masterclass-and-proves-liverpool-missed-out-on-nightmare-goal-machine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/516457\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a39m striker drops masterclass and proves Liverpool missed out on ‘nightmare’ goal machine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Liverpool handed \u00a3125million summer signing Alexander Isak another start against Manchester United and could now regret not moving for an alternative target.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Isak was named in Arne Slot\u2019s XI <\/a>for the third consecutive Premier League game on Sunday, but he struggled in front of goal once again.<\/p>\n

The Swede is yet to get off the mark for his new club in the top-flight and has chalked up just two goal contributions across his seven appearances in all competitions.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ Click to subscribe to the podcast \"\"\/ <\/a><\/p>\n

Slot admitted it was now fair for supporters to judge him, with Isak back up to speed after missing pre-season, but so far, he has been unable to find any rhythm<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Perhaps his staggering price tag is beginning to weigh heavily on his shoulders, proving that the wiser decision would have been for Liverpool to move for another Premier League<\/a> ace.<\/p>\n

\"LiverpoolPhoto by Michael Regan\/Getty ImagesLiverpool needed Jean-Philippe Mateta<\/p>\n

While Isak found himself hooked by Slot with the Reds chasing an equaliser, Jean-Philippe Mateta<\/a> had delivered a truly stunning performance against Bournemouth on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Labelled a defender\u2019s \u2018nightmare\u2019 by Alan Shearer, Mateta scored all three of Crystal Palace\u2019s<\/a> goals in their pulsating 3-3 draw at Selhurst Park, although he was still not satisfied after the final whistle. <\/p>\n

Remarkably, he also broke a top-flight record in the process, having recorded the highest xG total for any player in a Premier League game in the last 10 seasons, at least.<\/p>\n

His tally of 3.67 shattered the previous record held by Alexandre Lacazette, who brought up 2.97 against Manchester United back in 2017.<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old was absolutely everywhere at the weekend and positioned himself in the right place at the right time on three occasions, proving again that he\u2019s one of the world\u2019s best aces.<\/p>\n

He joined Palace for a meagre fee of just \u00a39m from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2022 and, according to Foot Mercato<\/a>, is estimated to be worth around \u00a352m now.<\/p>\n

That represents a real snip for interested parties, of which there are bound to be many. Liverpool<\/a>, the same publication claimed, were among them in the summer, before they settled on Isak and Hugo Ekitike.<\/p>\n

Mateta is a classic old-fashioned poacher \u2013 a throwback to a more direct, physical era \u2013 so it\u2019s no wonder Wayne Rooney believes he is the only proper striker<\/a> in the top-flight.<\/p>\n

Sam Allardyce reckons he would thrive at Arsenal<\/a>, and his ability to sniff out chances and then finish them would make him a perfect foil for Liverpool\u2019s scoring issues this season.<\/p>\n

Slot, however, has committed to Isak and will be hoping he comes good sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n

Jean-Philippe Mateta not happy despite scoring hat-trick<\/p>\n

Mateta admitted he was \u201cvery frustrated and upset\u201d despite his hat-trick against Bournemouth, after missing a golden chance to secure all three points for Palace right at the death.<\/p>\n

With 99 minutes on the clock, the frontman had the entire goal at his mercy, but somehow ballooned his shot over the crossbar in a dramatic final twist.<\/p>\n

\n

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s xG of 3.67 vs. Bournemouth is the highest by a player in a Premier League game in the last 10 seasons at least.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Highest xG in a Premier League game since 2016\/17:<\/p>\n

\u25c9 3.67 \u2013 Mateta vs. Bournemouth (2025)\u00a0
\u25ce 2.97 \u2013 Lacazette vs. Man Utd (2017)
\u25ce 2.89 -\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/1q7Db2DEAY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Squawka (@Squawka) October 20, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the last chance I had, I am very frustrated,\u201d Mateta told the BBC.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to win every game, even if I did score a hat-trick. It was up to me to score the goal [with the late chance] and I didn\u2019t score it, that is why I am like this.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need a few minutes to speak with the team and cool down but now I am upset.\u201d<\/p>\n