Alexander Isak makes Liverpool admission after ending goal drought as Arne Slot reacts

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·30 November 2025

Alexander Isak makes Liverpool admission after ending goal drought as Arne Slot reacts

British record signing breaks top-flight duck for new club in much-needed win over West Ham

Alexander Isak admitted that a weight has been lifted off his shoulders after he finally scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool.

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The Swedish striker had only found the back of the net once in 10 appearances across all competitions after forcing a British record £125million transfer from Newcastle to Anfield in the summer, in a 2-1 Carabao Cup third-round win over Championship side Southampton back in September.

He had not managed to notch in any of his first five top-flight outings after a delayed start to his Liverpool career owing to a lack of pre-season on Tyneside, with his ongoing struggles providing a key subplot during an abysmal run of form that had seen the Reds lose nine of their last 12 matches to pile pressure on manager Arne Slot.However, both narratives changed on Sunday, with Isak firing into the bottom corner from Cody Gakpo’s assist on the hour mark to set the visitors on their way to a badly-needed 2-0 victory over West Ham at the London Stadium.

It was a huge relief for the 26-year-old, who, having replaced Hugo Ekitike in the starting lineup, had been denied on a number of earlier occasions by Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areola before finally succeeding.

Gakpo wrapped up the win by scoring himself in stoppage time, after 10-man West Ham - mourning the death of club icon Billy Bonds earlier on Sunday - had threatened an equaliser through captain Jarrod Bowen following the late sending off of Lucas Paqueta, who received two quick-fire yellow cards for dissent.

Asked if a first Premier League goal for Liverpool felt like a weight off his shoulders, Isak told Sky Sports: “Yeah of course, I’m aware that it’s been a long time coming and I’ve been trying to get back to my best form. I’m still on the way, but I’m happy to have that goal.

“The best feeling today is that we win the game, that’s the best way to get a good spirit within the group. That’s helpful for the individual as well. Of course I’m a striker, so scoring goals will always help me.

“We have to use this win in a good way but also be humble, because we’ve had a tough time. One win doesn’t necessarily mean we’re back, we have to stay focused and keep working hard to keep this momentum.”

Slot believes breaking his duck was a crucial moment for Isak, whom he replaced with Ekitike less than 10 minutes after opening the scoring against West Ham.

"It's very important for us as a team that we went 1-0 up, but I think it was also important for him because I think it was his third or fourth chance of this game,” the Dutchman said.

"I don't think there was much more than 10 minutes in him to go, so then to score just before you come off was important for us, but also for him."