Last summer Liverpool paid £125m for Alexander Isak.
At the end of what became a protracted transfer saga the 26-year-old came on board for a British record fee. It’s fair to say the Sweden international has struggled during his first season on Merseyside.
Isak has scored only two goals in the Premier League and remains on the fringes of things during matches.
In the first half against Paris Saint-Germain last week he touched the ball only five times. Against Everton in the derby on Sunday he managed only nine touches before being withdrawn.
There is no doubt that Isak was at a disadvantage when he signed owing to a lack of pre-season.
He was effectively on strike for Newcastle prior to his move – sitting out their pre-season fixtures as well as the first three matches of the Premier League season.
International duties slowed down his integration and it took Isak a long time to get up to speed.
Having suffered an injury in the autumn he finally looked set to get going back in December with a goal against Tottenham.
But Isak suffered a broken leg in the goalscoring act – meaning another three months on the sidelines.
Paul Joyce: Arne Slot doesn't know how to use Isak
No doubt it will be next season before Arne Slot sees the former Borussia Dortmund man at his consistent best. He will however require a better plan for the No9.
Because trusted club insider Paul Joyce in the Times is claiming that Slot has got no idea how to use Isak in the current setup.
Thriving on service from Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy for the Geordies last season Isak scored 23 top-flight goals.
He hasn’t presented anything like the same threat alongside the likes of Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo – as well as new signing Florian Wirtz.
Isak needs wingers to thrive
“Isak was peripheral notwithstanding there remains no sense of how Liverpool will try to service him,”the report reads.
“Slot admitted months ago that he does not possess the profile of attacking players that supplied the bulk of his chances at Newcastle, essentially a winger who goes on the outside, such as Jacob Murphy or Anthony Gordon, nor do opponents offer the space to run in behind that his former club was afforded.”
Maybe this report is an insight into Liverpool’s summer transfer plans. It’s no secret that quick, one-v-one wingers are being prioritised in the market.
We could see a Yan Diomande or a Bradley Barcola arrive – increasing the Premier League champions’ threat on the transition. In turn that could unlock Isak and help repay some of the record-breaking total it took to sign him.
