Despite featuring for Sweden rather than Liverpool, Alexander Isak is finally back on the pitch. The tall centre-forward, who last appeared for Liverpool in mid-October against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, came on for Mattias Svanberg just after the hour mark during Sweden’s heavy 4–1 loss to Switzerland. Fans, however, have not held back in their criticism of the striker.
Liverpool’s dominant stroll to the 2024/25 Premier League title — sealed with four games to spare — shocked many, especially as it came in Arne Slot’s debut season. Their eye-watering summer spending of over £400 million also raised eyebrows, a stark contrast to Jurgen Klopp’s more measured approach.
Among those huge arrivals was Isak, who joined in a record-breaking £125 million Deadline Day deal from Newcastle United. Yet the Swedish star has struggled to adapt to life at Anfield. Astonishingly, he has scored only once — in the League Cup against Southampton — fuelling concerns about whether he will ever hit the heights expected of him.
Given his electric form at Newcastle and his reputation as one of the world’s top strikers, many still believe Isak will find his scoring touch again. But this autumn has been brutal for the 1999-born forward, mainly because injury has kept him out. After being sidelined in the Frankfurt clash, he missed Liverpool’s 1–0 win over Real Madrid, the 3–2 defeat to Brentford, and the 2–0 victory over Aston Villa.
Many assumed he’d be a plug-and-play goal machine, but instead, he was benched for Liverpool’s meeting with Manchester City — a move that worried fans, especially since Slot himself had pushed for his signing.
Still, Isak has returned to the field. Sweden, now coached by Graham Potter, have failed to win any of their five 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and their latest 4–1 collapse to Switzerland only underlined their struggles. Even with talents like Isak and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres, results simply haven’t come.
With Gyökeres unavailable, Isak was introduced in the 63rd minute. But his cameo was underwhelming: 13 touches, just one inside the box, no shots, a single final-third pass, one chance created — though he did win all four of his duels.
Fans on social media were harsh:
“Isak could be the biggest flop in Swedish football history!”
“He ruined two big chances the moment he came on.”
“Liverpool paid nearly 1.65 billion SEK for this? Football is broken.”
“0 goals in over a year for Sweden — how overrated can you be?”
“Sweden stopped creating chances the moment he stepped onto the pitch.”
Speaking to Sportbladet, Isak admitted the struggles but remained positive:
> “I want to play my game and perform. It hasn’t been ideal, but I don’t give myself excuses. Being out and unable to contribute is tough. Now I’m back and I’m positive.”
He added that dealing with setbacks is part of the game:
> “Nothing is easy in football. With experience you learn how to handle injuries and find your way back.”
With Sweden’s hopes of reaching next summer’s major tournament fading, Isak now returns to Merseyside as Liverpool prepare for a busy run of fixtures. Nottingham Forest visit Anfield on November 22, followed by PSV Eindhoven four days later
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