![\"Liverpool](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_GettyImages-2240310567.jpg\")
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak reacts while playing for Sweden in their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Switzerland at Strawberry Arena on October 10 2025 in Solna, Sweden(Image: Michael Campanella\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nFormer Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison has taken a dim view on Alexander Isak’s slow start to life at Anfield following \u00a3125m transfer from Newcastle UnitedLiverpool striker Alexander Isak reacts while playing for Sweden in their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Switzerland at Strawberry Arena on October 10 2025 in Solna, Sweden(Image: Michael Campanella\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Alexander Isak has been told he is paying the price for his lack of professionalism this summer with a slow start to life at Liverpool. Isak has so far struggled to make an impact at Anfield<\/a> after completing a \u00a3125million British record transfer from Newcastle United on deadline day last month.<\/p>\n The Sweden international has yet to feature for a full 90 minutes and has only one goal – in the League Cup<\/a> against Southampton – in six appearances for the Reds, and is under pressure from in-form Hugo Ekitike<\/a> for a starting role.<\/p>\n Isak<\/a> is still seeking full match fitness having missed out on a proper pre-season when banished from the Newcastle first-team squad to train alone following attempts to force through a move to Merseyside.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold decision has given Arne Slot another Liverpool problem to solve<\/a>READ MORE: Liverpool sent January message over Marc Guehi transfer amid Virgil van Dijk fears<\/a><\/p>\n And former Liverpool<\/a> midfielder Don Hutchison believes the 26-year-old has only himself to blame.<\/p>\n “Alexander Isak should have been more professional over the summer, and he\u2019s paying for it now,” said Hutchison. “He should have seen the bigger picture.<\/p>\n “Walking away from the training camp was poor in the first place. He was either going to go to Liverpool or stay at Newcastle, so either way he needed to be match fit.<\/p>\n “He shouldn\u2019t have been selfish. If the move didn\u2019t happen, he\u2019d then be match fit for Newcastle.<\/p>\n “It was unprofessional and naive not just to down tools but to also sacrifice his match fitness for whoever he was going to play for.”<\/p>\n Hutchison added: “I think he\u2019s been managed and advised really badly by his agent all summer. It comes down to the player, ultimately. He\u2019s under contract with Newcastle, he owes them fitness and professionalism.<\/p>\n “Bigger picture, if you end up at Liverpool you have to hit the ground running. Now he\u2019s playing catch-up and it\u2019s because of how he behaved.”<\/p>\n Liverpool went into the international break having suffered three successive defeats for the first time under Arne Slot<\/a> after narrow setbacks at Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea.<\/p>\n The Reds have had issues integrating a raft of new signings, not helped by a drop in form among some of their more established stars such as Mohamed Salah<\/a>.<\/p>\n Salah recently had his work-rate questioned by Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, and Hutchison said: “Wayne’s got a point.<\/p>\n “Mo Salah over the years, it’s not like he’s never tracked back, but when you look at Liverpool’s average positions last year compared to now, they were 20 yards higher up the pitch, so Salah could close down easier. Maybe he could do a little bit more.”<\/p>\n Salah this week received a confidence boost of scoring twice to help Egypt reach the World Cup finals, with Liverpool resuming their campaign at home to Manchester United next weekend.<\/p>\n And Hutchison reckons the 33-year-old is turning into another former Old Trafford great.<\/p>\n “Salah’s always been about the numbers – the goals and assists,” said Hutchison, speaking to online-casinos.com.<\/a> “Now he wants to try to cement the numbers, to try and break records.<\/p>\n “I think Mo Salah’s morphing into what Ronaldo was towards the latter part of his career. I commentate on Saudi football and watch quite a bit of him.<\/p>\n “All the players like Joao Felix, Sadio Mane or Kingsley Coman, they all do the work for him. They all run for him and he’s the one that’s bagging close to a thousand goals.”<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Blood-Red-coverJPG.jpg\")
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