‘Everyone has written him off’ – Troy Deeney says ‘top’ Liverpool player has big ‘point to prove’ | OneFootball

Troy Deeney has said that one ‘top’ player at Liverpool will have a big ‘point to prove’ to his critics during the new season.

It was just under a year ago that the Reds broke their transfer record to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle for £125m, bringing an end to a tempestuous saga in which the Swedish striker made no secret of his desire to leave St James’ Park.

Unfortunately, our number 9 endured an injury-ravaged first campaign at Anfield, including four months out with a broken leg, and he ended the season with just four goals in 22 appearances.

Deeney backing Isak to prove a point to his critics

Some pundits have already written off the 26-year-old as an expensive flop, but Deeney believes that the Liverpool star is very much capable of silencing his critics in the best possible manner.

In assessing the Reds’ prospects for the new season for BBC Sport, the former Watford striker said: “They are decently balanced although I still think they need an additional left-back and an extra midfielder.

“Ultimately they have got one X-factor – Isak. He is a top goalscorer who has got a point to prove because everyone has written him off.”

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This is a big season for Isak at Liverpool

It’s fair to say that the Swede’s first year at Liverpool hasn’t gone as he or the club would’ve liked, but Deeney is right in suggesting that the Reds’ number 9 could be fuelled by an added motivation to silence his doubters in the coming months.

He’s looked sharp in pre-season, scoring one goal and setting up another against Monaco, and he appears to be forming an effective on-field chemistry with Florian Wirtz, who’s also been the recipient of much criticism for not delivering on his initial price tag in his debut campaign at Anfield.

Isak couldn’t have asked for a more ideal first game of the season in which to make a massive statement, with the 26-year-old going back to St James’ Park, where he can expect a rancourous reception from the natives after last summer’s transfer saga.

Imagine him being the match-winner for Liverpool on Sunday! It’s the kind of script that football often tends to produce.

Andoni Iraola will be relying heavily on the Swedish marksman to be fit and available much more often than he was last term, with Hugo Ekitike not due back until the turn of the year.

The Reds need Isak to come up with the goal returns which earned him that club-record move to Anfield a year ago (62 in 109 games for Newcastle), and we remain confident that he’s capable of doing so.