Although it was for Sweden rather than Liverpool, Alexander Isak finally returned to action. The tall striker – who hadn’t featured for Liverpool since mid-October’s Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt – came on for Mattias Svanberg just after the hour mark in Sweden’s 4–1 loss to Switzerland, prompting plenty of criticism from supporters.
Isak joined Liverpool in a record-breaking £125m Deadline Day transfer from Newcastle United, but has yet to settle at Anfield. Remarkably, he has scored only once – in the League Cup against Southampton – and concerns are rising about whether he will eventually deliver.
Given how dominant he was at St James’ Park, many believe he will rediscover his scoring touch and return to being one of football’s elite forwards. But it has been a difficult autumn for the 1999-born attacker, especially with goals proving scarce.
Alexander Isak – Career Stats
Club Games Goals Assists
Real Sociedad 132 44 8
Newcastle United 109 62 11
AIK 29 13 1
Willem II 18 14 7
Borussia Dortmund 13 1 1
Liverpool 8 1 1
27-Minute Cameo Sparks Fan Reaction
Isak first rose to prominence during his Borussia Dortmund spell, but his game time has been limited recently due to the injury he suffered against Frankfurt. Since then, he has missed Liverpool’s wins over Real Madrid and Aston Villa, plus their defeat to Brentford.
Many expected Isak to be a ready-made goalscorer after his Newcastle heroics, but he was benched for Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City and never got on the pitch, which concerned some supporters – especially since it was Arne Slot who approved his big-money transfer.
Now back on the pitch for Sweden under Graham Potter, the national team are winless in five World Cup qualifiers, and the heavy defeat to Switzerland highlighted their struggles. With Viktor Gyokeres absent, Isak was introduced in the 63rd minute – but his display frustrated fans. He managed just 13 touches (one in the box), no shots, one final-third pass, one created chance, and won all four duels.
Fans did not hold back on social media:
“Isak could be the biggest flop in Swedish football history!”
“He ruined two great chances after coming on.”
“I can’t believe Liverpool spent 1.65 billion SEK on him.”
“How overrated can one player be?”
“Sweden stopped creating chances the second he came on.”
Some labelled him “deep-frozen, not ice-cold,” while others claimed he looked completely out of rhythm.
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Isak Responds After the Loss
Speaking to Sportbladet, the 56-cap forward admitted the situation hasn’t been ideal:
> “I always want to play my game and perform. It hasn’t been optimal. But when I’m on the field, I don’t give myself excuses.”
He said being sidelined is mentally tough but experience teaches players how to cope:
> “There’s not much that’s easy in football. You learn to handle injuries and return the right way.”
With Sweden’s World Cup hopes fading, Isak now returns to Liverpool as the fixtures come quickly for the Premier League champions. Nottingham Forest visit Anfield on November 22, followed by PSV Eindhoven four days later.
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