Sports
Liverpool’s “ruthless” teen sensation could steal Isak’s No. 9 shirt
Liverpool have fallen off a proverbial cliff this season, but Arne Slot‘s subtle tactical tweaks over the past several weeks have steadied the ship, with Liverpool unbeaten in four in the Premier League and with a win at San Siro over Inter Milan secured in the Champions League.
However, the Premier League champions still need to raise their levels if they are to put to bed fears of missing out on a top-four (or five) finish, as well as competing out on the continent and in the FA Cup.
And with Mohamed Salah now off with Egypt at the African Cup of Nations, it’s time for Alexander Isak to step up and help steer his new side back into the ascendancy.
Isak, 26, joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in a British-record £125m move at the end of the summer transfer window, but he has struggled to click into gear.
Why Alexander Isak is struggling at Liverpool
When Isak completed his transfer to Liverpool, his reputation preceded him. Now under Slot’s wing was a striker whose exploits led Newcastle United to Champions League qualification twice in three Premier League seasons, and it was his goal against Liverpool at Wembley that sealed the Carabao Cup title last year.
He scored 27 goals in all competitions last year, and his movement and intelligence in the final third marry up with devastating shooting skills to fashion a talisman fit for a starring role at any of Europe’s finest outfits.
But this hasn’t been the case for the Anfield side. The data makes for somewhat painful viewing, with Isak clearly punching well below his weight class of last season.
|
Alexander Isak – Past Two Prem Campaigns |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (per 90) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|
Goals scored |
0.75 |
0.18 |
|
Assists |
0.20 |
0.18 |
|
Touches |
33.47 |
22.59 |
|
Shots taken |
3.10 |
2.57 |
|
Pass completion (%) |
75.3 |
65.2 |
|
Progressive passes |
2.87 |
1.47 |
|
Progressive carries |
2.71 |
0.92 |
|
Shot-creating actions |
3.00 |
0.92 |
|
Successful take-ons |
1.37 |
0.18 |
|
Ball recoveries |
1.80 |
1.84 |
|
Tackles |
0.39 |
1.10 |
|
Data via FBref |
||
The Sweden international’s very name struck fear into defenders across England last year, with pundit Jamie Carragher even anointing him “the best striker in the Premier League right now” during his destructive purple patch last winter.
But he’s been dismal since moving to Liverpool, one goal in the Premier League and none in the Champions League. Circumstances matter, but Isak’s form is a big concern, especially with Hugo Ekitike firing on all cylinders are joining the club from Eintracht Frankfurt in July.
As Slot said: “We signed him for six years, not six months.” Even so, Isak needs to improve, especially when the Reds have an up-and-coming youngster who has the potential to go right to the top as a free-scoring number nine.
The Liverpool teen who could steal Isak’s shirt
When Isak joined Liverpool and put on that number nine shirt, it was universally accepted that he would swiftly assert himself as a powerhouse in the Premier League and out in Europe too.
But Isak has flattered to deceive, and Keyrol Figueroa may fancy his chances of ruffling a few feathers down the line, perhaps convincing the powers that be that they don’t need to sign another striker any time soon, instead investing their faith in the academy.
Figueroa, 19, has been hailed as a “lethal, ruthless number nine” by Liverpool U21 manager Rob Page, who has been in awe of the USMNT youth international’s destructive start to life in the Reds’ side’s underbelly.
This season, the powerful young forward, son of former Premier League star Maynor Figueroa, has scored seven goals from only nine matches in the Premier League 2, just five of which came from the starting whistle.
He made the bench during Liverpool’s Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield, and it is only a matter of time before he makes his bow for Slot’s seniors.
Strength and pace are key facets of Figueroa’s game. Recognised from the off for possessing something a bit different, the American prospect may well rival Isak down the line, if he retains and develops those central attributes and guides them toward something that can withstand the harsh climate of the Premier League.
Should Isak be worried? Not yet. As Slot stressed, Liverpool are ready to play the long game when it comes to their record purchase.
But Isak will have to deliver at some stage, and perhaps by then, Figueroa will have finished building the blocks and will be ready to take the professional stage.
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