Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola faces a significant challenge in integrating club-record signing Alexander Isak into his new tactical system, a conundrum highlighted by the striker’s isolated performance despite scoring his first goal of the season.
Isak, a £125 million acquisition last summer, found the net in Liverpool’s recent 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest. However, his overall contribution raised questions, particularly his first-half display where he managed just six touches, one accurate pass, and no shots. While he added seven more touches in the second half, the performance underscored a broader issue.
According to BBC Sport, pundit Joe Hart highlighted Liverpool’s difficulties getting the best out of their record signing while analysing the game on Match of the Day. “It is clear that Liverpool haven’t worked out how to play with Alexander Isak yet,” Hart said. He added that the trust needed to make Isak a central point of attack “just isn’t there at the moment,” leading to him looking “lost and isolated.”
Isak’s struggle in a new system
The 26-year-old Swedish international arrived at Anfield with an impressive scoring record, netting 44 Premier League goals in his last two seasons at Newcastle. Since his initial season in England, only Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Ollie Watkins have scored more Premier League goals. However, his debut campaign at Liverpool was hampered by injuries, limiting him to just three goals in 14 top-flight appearances.
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Isak, for his part, remains focused on his primary role. “That’s the job ultimately as a striker [to score goals]. I am very happy to score the first one and hopefully it just keeps coming,” he told TNT Sports.
The tactical shift under Iraola appears to be a key factor. Liverpool has started the season with two 2-2 draws, dominating possession in both games – 60% against Newcastle and 70% against Nottingham Forest. Despite this control, the team has yet to hold a lead in the Premier League.
Iraola’s possession paradox
This possession-heavy approach contrasts sharply with Iraola’s previous success at Bournemouth. Last season, his Bournemouth side won only four of 19 Premier League games where they had majority possession. Conversely, they secured nine victories in the other 19 games where they had less possession, failing to win any match with more than 58.8% possession.
This statistical anomaly raises questions about whether Iraola is attempting to implement a style that might not align with his own track record or, crucially, with the strengths of his record signing. Hart weighed in on the managerial dilemma: “Does he base his team round him [Isak] or does he try to find a different solution within his squad? In my opinion he’s got to commit to what the club have done by investing so heavily in Isak.”
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The situation is further complicated by the impending arrival of Bradley Barcola from PSG. The £123 million deal is expected to be finalised in the coming days, making Barcola the 10th £100 million player in Premier League history. Notably, Liverpool’s hierarchy, including principal owner John Henry, incoming vice-chairman Amit Bhatia, and sporting director Richard Hughes (who observed Iraola’s first home game), were reportedly determined not to exceed Isak’s £125 million fee during Barcola’s negotiations, underscoring their belief in their initial record investment.
With Mohamed Salah currently sidelined and Hugo Ekitike also out injured, Iraola must quickly find a way to unlock Isak’s potential and establish a cohesive attacking identity for a Liverpool side that has invested heavily in its forward line.
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