Seven games, one goal. Alexander Isak’s start at Liverpool is far from what the club imagined when it spent £130 million to sign him from Newcastle. The Swedish forward, the most expensive signing of the last transfer window and in Premier League history, still hasn’t made the expected impact. And now he’s starting to feel the weight that comes with such a massive price tag. Wayne Rooney didn’t hold back when discussing it on his podcast.
“I wouldn’t start Isak, he hasn’t looked ready since he arrived from Newcastle. He didn’t train, he didn’t do preseason. That’s really important,” said the former player, speaking like someone who knows how tough the adjustment can be for a player in that situation. Rooney’s comments struck a chord because they echo what many fans are already thinking. Liverpool is going through a rough patch, with four straight losses. The team needs a response, and Isak, who was brought in to be the new attacking leader alongside Salah, still looks out of sync with Arne Slot’s system.
The weight of adaptation and the physical factor
Isak was signed to lead an attack in transition. He’s skilled, smart, and reads spaces well, but he’s been slow in execution. Rooney’s criticism about his lack of preseason training hits the mark. “While Newcastle were training, he was probably at home talking to his agent, trying to leave the club. It’s really hard when you don’t do preseason. Isak’s paying the price.”
And he really is. In a league as intense as the Premier League, those margins matter. Fans can see it, and the stats confirm it: just one goal, scored against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. That’s far too little for a player signed amid such high expectations.
Ekitiké rises while the pressure builds
While Isak struggles to settle in, French forward Hugo Ekitiké is making the most of his chances. With five goals in 11 matches, his form is already drawing inevitable comparisons. Rooney even said he should be starting instead. Liverpool faces Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League needing a win to ease the pressure and get back on track. The coach is expected to keep giving Isak minutes, but patience is running thin.
Isak can still turn things around. The talent’s there, no one doubts that. He just needs a goal, a spark, something to get him breathing again. One simple moment that could bring back his confidence and make him look like himself once more.