Alexander Isak had a difficult start to his life at Liverpool. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak had a difficult start to his Liverpool career after joining from Newcastle for a British record £125 million in the summer. He has scored just two goals in 12 appearances in all competitions, with last weekend’s victory over West Ham the only time he broke his Premier League duck.
Isak was unable to live up to his performance at Newcastle. Liverpool have cited his failure to participate properly in pre-season as the main reason, but Arne Slott has gone a step further.
Arne Slott: Alexander Isaac lacks link-up with Jacob Murphy
Speaking to the media on Friday (via Liverpool Echo), Slott admitted that Isak doesn’t have the same chemistry with his Liverpool team-mates compared to the one he left at Newcastle, and specifically mentioned his partnership with Jacob Murphy.
“The main difference for him is that we face a lot of low blocks here. It’s not that it didn’t happen at Newcastle, but it wasn’t as much as I would like. I think the league has changed this season. We’re seeing a lot more low blocks than last season. But it’s not just against us, you’re seeing it in a lot of games.”
“It’s tougher for him than it was at Newcastle, but I think it’s also about him adapting to his team-mates and them adapting to him. But it’s clear and obvious that we don’t have a profile on Jacob Murphy, for example, at the moment.”
Can Alexander Isak turn his fortunes around at Liverpool?
It’s no surprise that Isak hasn’t been able to replicate his Newcastle form for Liverpool so far, but his performances have fallen short of expectations. He has time, but he will need to step up sooner rather than later, especially with Hugo Ekitike vying for the starting striker spot.
