Liverpool learn Alexander Isak truth the HARD way after £125m deadline day deal | OneFootball

Liverpool waiting for Isak's best form

It’s not yet known the extent of the latest injury blow to be suffered by Isak - and right now we are uncertain whether he can feature in the Premier League this weekend against Brentford.

However it goes without saying that Liverpool expected MORE from Isak by this stage.

He is the fourth-most expensive player in football history - but has yet to demonstrate consistent match fitness, let alone the world-class form that saw him score 23 top-flight goals for Newcastle last season.

The Reds knew it would be a painstaking process - with Isak having failed to play a proper preseason and missing Newcastle’s first three games of the season owing to his self-exile from the squad.

Isak fails first challenge

Arne Slot and his team of coaches had to be patient - but they believed he would be ready by the time the October international window ended.

Following his exertions for Sweden - he reported back to the AXA Training Centre fully fit and ready to face United. What followed was another unconvincing outing - before the knock he suffered against Frankfurt in midweek.

Just when Slot and Co. thought they could go full throttle and challenge Isak to play with the regularity required for a top Premier League and European team, they’ve had to abandon that plan.

No doubt it’s frustrating - for Slot and for Isak - but the warning signs were there.

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Sam McGuire's warning

“He’s not exactly shown himself to be someone who has it in him to play 3,000 league minutes plus 500 minutes in the Champions League. For the rumoured £120million, you at least want availability, don’t you?” wrote Sam McGuire on these pages before Isak’s signing.

And so it’s come to pass.

Last season he played more league football than he’s ever done before but didn’t have European games to contend with. The minute he’s asked to step on it for the Reds - he breaks down.

And a cursory check of his injury history will reveal the truth. Ever since 2021, he’s had a variety of upper-leg injuries - thigh, hamstring and groin. While last season he didn’t miss too much football as a result, his availability was still affected.

And the workload - not to mention the expectations - are so much higher now for a £125m player.