Last summer, Liverpool completed a British record move to acquire Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, bringing the prolific goalscorer to Anfield in a £125m deal.
Liverpool had been crowned Premier League champions a few months earlier and Isak was to become a key figure in a transfer window that would see significant changes, securing the Reds’ place as England’s leading team.
There’s no arguing that 2025/26 was the lowest period of Isak’s England career, and perhaps his entire professional career.
Isak – Premier League career by season | ||
|---|---|---|
season | app | Goal + Assist |
25/26 | 14(8) | 3+1 |
24/25 | 34 (34) | 23+6 |
23/24 | 30(27) | 21+2 |
22/23 | 22(17) | 10+1 |
Now that Mohamed Salah has left the club, it is imperative that Andoni Iraola gets the best out of his central frontman, lest Liverpool once again lack attacking power.
How Iraora brings out Isaac’s full potential
Isak will celebrate his 27th birthday in September, which marks one month since the start of the new Premier League season. Last season was a big blot on his copybook, but Iraola won’t hinder the stop-start performances of his main No. 9 if Liverpool are to challenge for the title. Iraora must return to world-class goalscoring form.
After all, with Salah away from Liverpool and Hugo Ekitike out until around Christmas as he continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Isak will need to impress for the team at Anfield.
However, at the World Cup with Sweden, Isak looked fitter and sharper, which boded well for pre-season training, which Isak missed last year at Newcastle United due to injury.
Former England international Danny Mills called it a “fresh start” and suggested Iraola’s front-footed, flowing football could work in Isak’s favor. At his best, Isak is a devastating attacker, not only clinical in front of goal, but also elegant and involved in the build-up, with pundit Alan Shearer once saying that “everything he does is of the highest quality”.
Iraola will be thrilled at the chance to bring back such an outstanding attacking talent, and it’s understandable why, given Liverpool are closing in on pole position in the race to sign his dream partner.
Liverpool emerge as favorites to land Isak’s dream partner
A prime version of Salah would be a dream for Isak, but it’s a shame. Instead, Isak needs a fresh face on Liverpool’s right flank to help bring home a dozen goals.
A deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola could be “very likely”, according to Liverpool journalist David Lynch, with hopes of a positive move on the exorbitant £128m price tag the French giants are said to have set in the face of sniffing suitors.
Barcora, 23, has emerged as Liverpool’s top target this summer after manager Yann Diomande rejected the Reds’ offer, and with rivals Arsenal eyeing a deal for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rodgers, it looks like a deal could be made for the Anfield side.
Hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson as “one of the best left wingers in the world,” Barcola is a powerful and elegant runner who is intriguing in the way he plays, and despite being six feet tall, shows artistic grace and superb balance when running down channels.
He could be an immediate asset at Anfield, with his versatility and an edge in front of goal, taking some of the scoring responsibility off Isak’s shoulders while adding flair, unpredictability and creativity.
Since the start of the 2024/25 season, Barcola has scored 34 goals for PSG. He combines well with the fluid centre-forward of Ousmane Dembele, whose fleet and dynamic approach to attacking teams reflects Isak’s own way of thinking about his job.
Isak has always worked well with fast-paced direct wingers. Look at his partnership with Anthony Gordon at Newcastle. The Swedish striker is a shrewd creator himself, and uses skillful link-up play to connect attacks intelligently. Barcola is probably better than Gordon, so he could be exactly what Merseyside needs.
Arsenal appear to be focused on signing Rodgers in the coming weeks, but it seems unlikely that they will match Liverpool’s enthusiasm to sign Barcola.
This gives FSG a clear opportunity for a notable player who has the potential to develop into one of Europe’s best players and lead Liverpool to the title.
