0 duels won: Sky reporter blasts ‘totally anonymous’ Liverpool man after Anfield embarrassment

Liverpool’s 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest brought heavy criticism for one Reds player whose display was labelled ‘completely anonymous’.

Arne Slot’s side suffered their sixth league defeat of the campaign – already half again as many as last season – as Forest, sitting 19th before kick-off, came to Anfield and left with what Wayne Rooney called a “comfortable” win.

Alexander Isak had scored in all four of his previous Premier League meetings with Forest, but that streak barely threatened to continue.

Isak slammed for ‘anonymous’ showing in Liverpool collapse

Restored to the starting lineup, the 26-year-old was withdrawn midway through the second half as Slot searched for a way back into the game.

Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter summed up his outing when he was substituted in the 68th minute: “Robertson and Chiesa being readied. Isak’s afternoon is over. He’s been completely anonymous again.”

A missed chance to send a message

Given the start ahead of Hugo Ekitike, this was the perfect moment for Liverpool’s £125m record signing to make a statement. Instead, it strengthened the case for the Frenchman to return for Wednesday’s clash with PSV.

Ian Doyle handed Isak a 4/10 in the Liverpool Echo, noting he touched the ball just once in the opening 15 minutes and politely describing the outing as “not great”.

The statistics underlined the struggle. According to Sofascore, he lost all seven duels he contested, completed just six passes from eight attempts, failed to hit the target with a shot and managed only 15 touches across 68 minutes.

Isak’s pre-season disruption and groin injury haven’t helped, but this performance – like Liverpool’s as a whole – fell far below expectations.

It’s far too early to call him a flop, but he will need a strong showing soon to quiet the scrutiny that this flat display has triggered.