Isak disaster

Isak is turning into a "flop" at Liverpool.

From St. James' Park to Anfield, Alexander Isak was expected to continue his career as a lethal striker. He left Newcastle with 27 goals in the 2024/25 season, leading the Magpies to their first domestic title in 70 years. Therefore, when Liverpool spent €150 million, making him the most expensive signing in Premier League history, fans believed they were about to witness a new era in attack.

When trust becomes a burden

But the reality after 7 matches was harsh: only 1 goal, 1 assist, and a host of forgettable statistics. In the English derby on October 19th, when Harry Maguire headed the ball into the net against Liverpool to give Manchester United a 2-1 victory, social media was flooded with sarcastic comments: "Harry Maguire scored at Anfield against Alexander Isak."

It's a bitter truth, but it accurately reflects the current situation of the Swedish striker – who was expected to become a new icon, but is now the focus of disappointment.

At Anfield, doubts began to arise about manager Arne Slot's decision. In 385 minutes across all competitions, Isak hadn't completed a single successful dribble, hadn't made a single key pass, and lost possession eight times in the match against Man Utd. His only significant shot was denied by goalkeeper Senne Lammens – a shot that, if it had gone in, could have salvaged the image of the €150 million striker.

Isak is not alone in Liverpool's decline, but his position magnifies any mistakes. While teammate Florian Wirtz has been criticized for his lackluster performance since the FA Community Shield, Isak has become a symbol of a €500 million attacking line that has failed to score.

And in the north, Nick Woltemade – signed by Newcastle to replace him – is shining with 5 goals in 8 games, even scoring a spectacular backheel goal against Brighton. The more Woltemade thrives, the more bitter Liverpool fans become.

Isak felt out of place in Liverpool.

Coach Arne Slot maintained a calm tone: “Isak has completed 5-6 weeks of training to regain his fitness. Now we can assess him in a Liverpool shirt.”

The Dutch manager wasn't wrong. Isak missed almost the entire pre-season, after putting pressure on Newcastle to sell him. From the end of May to the beginning of September, he didn't train adequately, leading to poor physical condition and a lack of ball control.

Slot added: “We signed Isak for six years, not two weeks. Everything has to be built for the long-term benefit of the player.”

But Anfield is not a place where patience is easily found. Four consecutive defeats – against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea, and Manchester United – have plunged Liverpool into crisis, despite spending over €500 million in the summer transfer window. There, Isak is being seen as a symbol of waste and disappointment.

When the old glory no longer shines

When Isak left Newcastle, experts called him the "Nordic gem"—a modern center forward, strong, intelligent, and effective. But at Liverpool, all those qualities suddenly disappeared. He no longer moved flexibly between lines, no longer had the ability to create space for himself, and more importantly, no longer possessed the confidence that had made Isak at his peak.

Perhaps he still needs time. But with the expectations built on a €150 million investment, time is becoming his biggest enemy. Because at Anfield, people aren't waiting to see "one day he'll score." They need Newcastle's Isak – right now.

In short: Liverpool signed Isak to usher in a new era, but currently, he's only adding to the list of expensive but failed signings at Anfield. With the team adrift, Isak needs a moment of brilliance more than ever – not just to prove himself, but also to save his own future amidst the raging Red storm.

Source: https://znews.vn/tham-hoa-isak-post1595513.html