Alexander Isak’s struggles at Liverpool continued as he failed to score in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield.
The striker was substituted in the 72nd minute with Liverpool trailing 1-0 after an early second-minute goal from Bryan Mbeumo. Liverpool briefly equalized after Isak’s departure through Cody Gakpo, only for Harry Maguire to restore Manchester United’s lead.
This defeat marks Liverpool’s fourth consecutive loss in all competitions — a first in over a decade — and it coincides with Isak’s inclusion in the starting lineup. Since his £130million transfer from Newcastle United on deadline day, Liverpool have lost three of the four Premier League matches in which Isak has started. His move followed a strike and refusal to play for Newcastle.
A lack of pre-season and match fitness appears to have affected the 26-year-old. Last season at Newcastle, Isak scored 27 goals in all competitions, including the Carabao Cup final winner against Liverpool. However, his only goal for Liverpool so far came in a Carabao Cup tie against Championship side Southampton. Overall, he has one goal in seven appearances across all competitions.
Ahead of the match, Liverpool manager Arne Slot addressed Isak’s form, saying:
“Alexander Isak has had his 5/6 weeks of pre-season… so fitness-wise he’s close to the level he should be. We can judge him in a fair way from now on.”
Despite this, Isak’s performance on Sunday was underwhelming. He missed a one-on-one opportunity, completed just seven passes, and had only 19 touches — the fewest of any starter. Federico Chiesa, who replaced him with 18 minutes remaining, recorded more touches and provided an assist for Gakpo.
Isak’s struggles have also been mirrored at the international level, as Sweden’s World Cup qualifying campaign suffered defeats to Kosovo and Switzerland without him scoring. During a pre-match press conference, Isak reflected on his challenges:
“It’s nothing I want to dwell on now. It doesn’t benefit anyone… I’m working hard to push myself and play my game. Things have been a bit tougher for us [Liverpool], but as the team improves, it will also go better for me.”
Eddie Howe, Isak’s former manager at Newcastle, also commented on their past relationship, noting it changed after Isak went on strike:
“We helped him become the player he partly is today, and he helped us achieve unbelievable milestones. When he went on strike, our relationship changed, which was probably a turning point.”
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