Alexander Isak's torrid start to life on Merseyside continued, as he logged just 15 touches in 67 minutes of action in Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest. The Swedish striker is the first player to lose his first four league starts for the club in over 100 years. Isak now shares the unwanted record with Percy Saul, who turned for the Reds all the way back in 1906.
Isak takes unwanted Liverpool record
This mind-bending stat was shared to BlueSky earlier today by Opta's Football Data Editor Michael Reid. It brings the £125m man's woeful form since joining from Newcastle into stark relief.
Isak cut a dejected figure when he was given the hook shortly after the hour in Liverpool's latest abject display. GOAL gave Isak a 2/10 grade for his showing against Forest.
The 26-year-old's first league start came in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat away to Crystal Palace back in September. That loss kicked off the Reds' capitulation after winning their first five games of the league season. Further starts against Chelsea and Manchester United resulted in two more 2-1 losses for the club.
Saul joined Liverpool at the start of the 1906/07 season after making 94 appearances for Plymouth Argyle. The defender's inauspicious run saw the Reds lose against Sunderland, Birmingham, Everton and Arsenal in the early stages of that First Division campaign. Liverpool would eventually finish 15th.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportProtracted transfer saga leaves Isak scrabbling for form and fitness
The 26-year-old's poor form is likely a result of the protracted transfer saga that rumbled on during the summer.
Isak forced his former employer Newcastle into negotiating with Liverpool as he downed tools during the Magpies' pre-season preparations. Isak did not report for duty on the club's pre-season tour of Asia before announcing he would never play for the club again if they did not sanction his switch to Merseyside.
Newcastle's eventual capture of German striker Nick Woltemade facilitated a British record £125m deal ($164m) for the ex-Borussia Dortmund and Real Sociedad man.
A lack of fitness restricted Isak to bit part appearances for the Reds in the following weeks, while an adductor injury sustained in Liverpool's 5-1 win away at Eintracht Frankfurt in October stymied his progress further.
Isak has bagged one goal and one assist in nine appearances for Liverpool. His sole effort came in the club's 2-1 win over Championship outfit Southampton in the Carabao Cup.
Isak's personal struggles since Liverpool move
Further to his struggles for fitness, the fallout of his move is clearly having an impact on Isak's personal well-being.
The fractious nature of his departure from Tyneside prompted the striker to invest £30,000 in guard dogs for his new home, as he revealed he received death threats in the aftermath of his transfer.
After appearing as a second-half substitute in Sweden's 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Switzerland earlier this week, Isak opened up on his frustrations at his current predicament. However, he stopped short of giving himself a free pass for his performances on the pitch.
Isak said: "It’s always frustrating when you’re injured. Regardless of whether it’s one match or more. It’s always worse for the player himself.
"It hasn’t been optimal. But when I’m on the field, I don’t give myself any excuses. I always want to play my game and perform. But yes, it’s hard to be away and not be able to help and contribute. Now I’m back and I’m positive. There’s not much that’s easy in football. But with experience, you learn to deal with things. That’s how it is with injuries and all that. You learn to deal with it and get back on track the right way."
Getty Images SportWill Isak retain his starting spot for Liverpool?
Isak's recruitment was supposed to be the final purchase of a summer spending spree that would deliver back-to-back Premier League titles for the Reds. However, with Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez all struggling with form and fitness since joining Arne Slot's side, the vaunted class of the summer window has failed to live up to the hype.
Only Hugo Ekitike has emerged with his reputation enhanced. The Frenchman had been moved aside to make space for Isak after his arrival. Given Isak's repeated poor showings, will Slot put his faith in the 23-year-old as the Reds look to turn their season around?
