Alexander Isak Delivers Brutal Truth About His Liverpool Struggles
Alexander Isak candidly confessed he's uncertain about what's behind his challenging start at Liverpool this season, yet he maintains optimism that this rough patch is merely temporary—because that's simply how football "operates."
Isak concluded the 2024–25 campaign at Newcastle United having netted 44 Premier League goals over two seasons dating back to 2023.
This track record made the Swedish striker a natural target for Liverpool as they sought to capitalize on momentum and proactively restructure immediately following their championship-winning campaign. Ultimately, a £125 million ($167.3 million) British transfer record was established, though the journey since has been far from seamless.
Isak entered the new campaign lacking match fitness due to his departure efforts from Newcastle, which essentially involved staging a protest by refusing to participate in training sessions with his Magpies colleagues throughout the summer. However, even at this stage, Isak has managed just one goal in 14 Liverpool outings and has found himself relegated to the bench behind Hugo Ekitiké in recent matches. The Reds have secured victory in merely three league fixtures this term.
"I honestly don't possess the solution to that," he shared with Swedish outlet Sportbladet. "Regarding the team situation—it's evident that progress has been sluggish, but that's the nature of football. There are always squads that are soaring, while others experience slower periods. It's about reversing that trend.
"For myself as well... this isn't my first experience navigating such a challenging phase, or finding myself in poor form. That's the reality of a football career, it's simply something you must battle through."
With his latter comment, Isak was presumably alluding to his initial major transfer, which didn't unfold as he had envisioned. After enjoying a breakthrough with Stockholm club AIK at just 17 years old, earning early parallels to Zlatan Ibrahimović, Isak became the most costly Allsvenskan acquisition (at that point) when he transferred to Borussia Dortmund in January 2017.
However, he struggled to secure a regular spot in Dortmund's starting lineup, despite the club's well-known ability to nurture emerging talent. Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham subsequently both flourished there. Isak stepped back via loan to Willem II in Holland before making a permanent switch to Real Sociedad to revive his career.
Naturally, he succeeded, with Newcastle persuaded to invest a club-record £63 million in 2022 after witnessing the striker's renaissance in Spain. This experience is why Isak believes his underwhelming displays and statistics since arriving at Liverpool are temporary.
"Definitely [I'm optimistic]," he stated. "That comes from experience. Never getting too elevated, never too dejected. Attempting to maintain that equilibrium, that's something I feel I've improved upon."
Tension With Mohamed Salah?
Liverpool's decision to invest nearly £450 million in transfer expenditures was likely influenced by planning for an eventual transition away from players like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Andrew Robertson and other key figures who powered the Jürgen Klopp era's achievements.
Similar to many others, Salah's performances have been underwhelming thus far in 2025–26, resulting in the Egyptian icon and Anfield legend being dropped by Arne Slot in November. Following three matches outside the starting eleven, Salah publicly criticized the choice, asserting he had been scapegoated by the organization and no longer maintains communication with the manager.
This controversy, currently on pause, has unfolded in the public eye, but additional claims have emerged this week suggesting Salah harbors other concerns internally. Reports indicate he remains unconvinced by Liverpool's summer transfer activity, particularly questioning whether Isak and fellow signing Florian Wirtz represent the right players to guide the club forward.
Considering the minimal influence both Isak and Wirtz have demonstrated, it would be understandable to share Salah's perspective if these reports accurately reflect his views.