Isak Breaks Silence: Liverpool's Record-Price Striker Faces The Challenge Of A Slow Start

Injury and a rough start shadow Isak's Liverpool bow

Alexander Isak, the Swedish forward, finally spoke out after a difficult opening chapter with Liverpool, having managed only one goal since the club-record move worth 130 million pounds. He returned from a thigh injury and appeared as a substitute after a layoff during Sweden’s 4-1 loss to Switzerland, failing to register a single shot as he tried to find his footing in England.

The striker had been sidelined since October 22 due to the injury and remains far from being ready to start games for the Reds. “When I’m on the pitch, I don’t allow myself any excuses. I always want to play my way and deliver the performance required. It’s hard to be away and unable to help, but I’m back now, and I’m optimistic,” Isak said.

Isak has received support from teammates and national colleagues. Teammate Antony Elanga, who joined Newcastle United last summer, added, “We know the quality Alex has; it’s all about confidence and belief. He’s a big player. You don’t pay this kind of money and move to a club like Liverpool if you’re not good. He just needs time.”

The absence of Isak has been felt, and his return to regular action has been cautious. His solitary goal came against Southampton, a troubling bottom side in League One, in the Carabao Cup, but he remains confident he can turn the page and contribute consistently.

"There is nothing easy in football," he reflected. "With experience you learn to deal with injuries or other challenges. You learn how to come back on the right path. Injuries are always the worst for a player, whether it’s one game or more."

Isak received further moral support from his Sweden teammate, Antonee Ilanga, who joined Newcastle last summer. Ilanga emphasized Isak’s talent and the belief he requires: “We know his quality, and the key is confidence and belief in him. He’s a big player. You don’t move to a club like Liverpool with that price tag if you’re not good. Just give him time.”

Slow but steady progress

Isak hasn’t been able to deliver a strong start for Liverpool after spending much of the summer training solo to press Newcastle for a move to Anfield. His only goal so far came against Southampton, a side near the bottom of the league, in the Carabao Cup, while he remains certain he can change the narrative.

He added that nothing is easy in football and that experience teaches him how to handle setbacks, whether injuries or other hurdles. He argues that returning to form hinges on patience, belief, and continuing to work hard behind the scenes.

Isak’s career arc reveals a consistency of high potential. He was born September 21, 1999 in Solna, Sweden, and quickly established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards due to his height, pace, dribbling, finishing, and intelligent movement in the box. His roots trace back to Eritrea, and he’s known for his humility off the pitch and discipline on it.

He began at AIK in Sweden, breaking into the first team in 2015-2016 and becoming the club’s youngest scorer, which foreshadowed a trajectory that would attract interest from bigger clubs. In January 2017 he moved to Borussia Dortmund, where competition for places limited his opportunities, leading to another loan spell in the Netherlands with Willem II during the 2018-2019 season. There he thrived, scoring 12 goals in the first 12 league matches and becoming the first player to net three penalties in a single Eredivisie game.

Stardom at Real Sociedad

Isak’s move to Real Sociedad in 2019 marked a new chapter in Spain, where he tallied 33 goals in 105 La Liga appearances and helped the club win the Copa del Rey in 2019-2020. He notched a hat-trick against Deportivo Alavés, becoming the first Swedish player to do so in La Liga since 1949 and establishing himself as a versatile forward who can both create space for teammates and lead the line.

His next arrival came in August 2022 when Newcastle United signed him for a club-record fee. He quickly became the team’s main attacking figure and, in the 2023-2024 season, registered 21 league goals, surpassing Zlatan Ibrahimović as Sweden’s top single-season scorer in the Premier League and lifting the EFL Cup with his former club. In the summer of 2025 he joined Liverpool for 130 million pounds, becoming the club’s most expensive player, though his form has yet to catch fire at Anfield.

While the early chapters at Liverpool have been modest, Isak’s talent and the backing of teammates suggest there is more to come. The midfielder-forward awaits the moment his finishing clicks with the team’s build-up, and Reds fans remain hopeful that the big-money signing can deliver the spark expected when the transfer window closed.

Isak’s story is still being written, with plenty of chapters left in England’s top flight and beyond. He’s spoken about the need for time to adapt to a new league and teammates, an adjustment period that many high-profile signings experience.

Career milestones worth noting

From Solna to Dortmund, Willem II, Real Sociedad, Newcastle, and Liverpool, Isak’s career is a showcase of growth and resilience. Each stop added layers to his ability as a forward who can finish with both feet, hold the ball under pressure, and link with teammates in dynamic attacking moves. The next phase at Liverpool will determine whether the price tag becomes a headline of success or a lingering footnote, but Isak’s talent remains undeniable.

Postscript

Two punchlines to keep in mind as we wait for Isak’s breakthrough: Isak’s finishing has been so off-target lately that even a sniper would wave him a blank sight picture.

And: When he finally scores, Liverpool fans will need a celebratory rally—target acquired, and the goal net breathes a sigh of relief.