Record Signing: €145m
This summer, Liverpool splashed out a club-record €482.9 million, with nearly a third of that aimed at securing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United. However, in his first major game donning Liverpool’s colors, the tall striker failed to make a significant impact and is still without a Premier League goal following a 2-1 loss to Chelsea. Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, seemingly sidelined some summer recruits for this crucial matchup, leaving Hugo Ekitiké, Florian Wirtz, and Jeremie Frimpong on the bench during the Saturday clash at Stamford Bridge. After consecutive losses to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, Slot was looking for a response against Chelsea, but his team started slowly, conceding to Moises Caicedo’s long-range strike. Although Cody Gakpo equalized in the 63rd minute, substitute Estêvão’s dramatic injury-time winner condemned the Reds to their third defeat in a week.
Player Spotlight: Alexander Isak
Isak was selected to lead the attack, flanked by Gakpo on the left and Mohamed Salah, returning to face his former club, on the right. As Chelsea controlled early possession, the Swedish forward had a quiet start, with no shots on goal and only 11 touches in the first half-hour. For much of the time, he seemed to be just out of sync, watching as Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile exchanged passes at the back. Liverpool, as a whole, weren’t at their best, and Isak appeared to be lagging behind. A missed opportunity arose when Salah attempted to deliver a clever through ball to Isak, but the striker misread the play, and the moment went by. There seems to be an adjustment period for the Swede as he gets used to his new club and his role as Liverpool’s record signing.
Just before halftime, Isak finally got a chance to make an impact. Salah delivered a superb curling ball with the outside of his left foot, but Isak’s header sailed over the goal. This moment was one of the few times in the first half when he managed to escape Acheampong’s marking. Having scored during his previous visits to Stamford Bridge, Isak hoped for a similar opportunity with his new team. Unfortunately, the second half continued in the same vein: he was largely uninvolved off the ball and ineffective when he had it. His heavy touches drew frustration from away fans and ironic cheers from the Chelsea supporters. Ironically, one of those precise touches ended up being pivotal for Liverpool’s goal when Isak brought down Salah’s deflected cross, allowing Gakpo to score from close range. Though technically an assist, the intent of the touch remains unclear. He was substituted out in the 73rd minute after contributing the much-needed goal.
Market Value Insight
With his high-profile transfer from Newcastle United costing €145 million, expectations on Isak are immense. A market value of €120 million underscores the pressure he faces from fans, media, and teammates alike. His slow start can be partially attributed to a lack of preseason preparation, a point often emphasized by Slot when discussing Isak’s gradual integration. As Ekitiké, who has netted four goals this season, continues to be overlooked, more scrutiny will fall on Isak’s performances. There’s no doubt about his goal-scoring prowess, having netted 22 goals last season. For Liverpool to thrive, Isak must elevate his performance; otherwise, he risks facing criticism sooner than anticipated.
