Liverpool striker Alexander Isak needs a positive end to the season after a tortuous time following his £125m transfer from Newcastle United
Alexander Isak of Liverpool(Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
There will be a mixture of goodbye and good riddance at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. But one Liverpool player in particular will just be happy to be saying hello once again.
While fond farewells will be afforded, at the very least, to the departing Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, there will be less reluctance to wave off a tortuous campaign for Arne Slot’s side.
And surely standing at the front of that queue will be Alexander Isak after the most miserable season of his career since his contentious £125million British record transfer from Newcastle United at the start of September.
There have been times when surely Isak himself will have wondered whether the move was worth all the hassle having fallen out spectacularly with the Magpies fanbase given his determination to push through a move to Anfield.
READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk surprise highlights where Liverpool have gone wrong this seasonREAD MORE: Mateus Mane ‘would be Liverpool asset’ as attacker transfer discussed
Fitness issues and injuries have restricted Isak to just 13 starts and nine substitute appearances, with just four goals and one assist in that time.
Indeed, the patience shown by the fanbase has been tested in recent weeks with Isak having missed two of the last three games – the defeats at Manchester United and Aston Villa – with minor muscle problems.
Given the World Cup – for which Sweden qualified through the back door of the play-offs having finished bottom of their qualifying group – is just weeks away, it has led to suspicions the player may be careful not to overly risk his fitness ahead of the tournament.
In fairness, there were always likely to be some niggles having been on the sidelines for such an extended period following the broken leg suffered at Tottenham Hotspur shortly before Christmas.
But it will be important for the striker to ensure he can take to the field in the starting line-up for the Premier League finale at home to Brentford this weekend.
For a start, while only a freak set of results can prevent Liverpool from qualifying for the Champions League, a goal or two for Isak in a Reds win would go some way to helping repay his fee by ensuring they retain their place among Europe’s elite.
And it will also provide a timely reminder as to why Liverpool went big on his services and why the team next season will be built to make the most of his goalscoring talents.
“Alexander Isak hasn’t looked good for Liverpool in their system,” said former Sweden international Anders Limpar, speaking to Betano Online Casino. “He suffered a horrendous injury requiring operations.
“Then he came to Liverpool when the team’s performance was declining. If a new player arrives when the team is struggling, who are they going to blame?
“I mean, the biggest signing, Alexander Isak, is being blamed. It’s not his fault, it’s the whole club’s fault if they don’t succeed. It’s the manager, all the players, and the staff.
“You can’t just point to Alexander Isak as the sole reason why Liverpool hasn’t been successful. That’s not fair, especially with an injury like this. But I would like to see him stepping up.”
Sunday, then, would be a good start. The new season starts here for Isak.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo’s dedicated LFC Facebook page
Get Liverpool’s new 2026/27 home kit
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£85
LFC Shop
Buy Now on LFC Shop
Liverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club’s 1989/90 title-winning campaign.
