Alexander Isak’s start to the season has gone a little under the radar.
The Liverpool No9 was, once again, the match-winner for Andoni Iraola’s side as they claimed a 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Sunday. The victory lifted them into sixth and, despite the talk around the Reds, they remain one of just three unbeaten teams in the Premier League this term.
Key to that unbeaten run has been Isak. The £125million signing struggled with fitness and injuries last season, finishing the campaign with just three Premier League goals, as well as questions over his suitability and ability.
To say that he’s answered those questions emphatically would be a bit of an exaggeration. He isn’t the same player he was for Newcastle. The player most teams feared. The player that had the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool desperately courting him. The player that convinced the then Premier League champions to part with a British record fee.
But we are starting to see glimpses of why the Reds felt he was the No9 for them. He has four goals in five starts, and only Erling Haaland (five) has more to his name this season. Perhaps more importantly, Isak’s goals are proving to be pivotal ones for Iraola’s men.
He netted the winner against Bournemouth with a well-taken effort midway through the second half. He was in the right place at the right time for the first equaliser against Nottingham Forest. And he then finished expertly twice in the 2-0 win over Ipswich Town, the first of the Iraola era.
Isak hasn’t single-handedly won games, but his goals have turned two potential draws into two wins. It’s as simple as that.
Righting the wrongs of last season
One of the complaints levelled at Arne Slot last season was his inability to get Isak, or any of the other forwards, involved in the right areas.
Isak was often feeding off scraps and, whenever he did manage to get on the ball, he wasn’t in dangerous areas.
This season, however, under Iraola, it has felt different. The Spanish tactician, speaking after the win over Bournemouth, detailed exactly what the plan is with his No9.
The striker’s job is like this. He had a couple of crosses that he doesn’t hit properly, one chance [he couldn’t] control and this. I think he has to help us to be closer to the box, to play in the opposition half, to have meaningful possession and then, if the team is playing there, he will receive the rewards in terms of goals.
Iraola has worked on a way to get more out of Isak, and it is working. His shot numbers are up and his threat is dramatically higher, despite him averaging a similar number of touches.
He can be a low-involvement player if you ensure he’s involved in the right areas. The Reds are currently doing exactly that.
Penalty box predator
Isak has had a total of 15 shots in the Premier League this season, and all but one of them have come from inside the penalty area.
His shot map is exactly what you want from an expensive centre-forward. The majority of his efforts come from central positions, 12 yards or closer. Liverpool aren’t doing anything novel; they’re simply using their No9 as a No9 in the penalty area. They’re tasking him with getting into the right positions and then servicing him.
The result? Good chances and goals.
He’s more than just a finisher, though. He’s been pressing well for Iraola this season, and he does appear to be combining a little better with his teammates. But, ultimately, he’s in the team to put the ball in the back of the net as Liverpool’s primary goalscorer.
He’s doing his job. The system is allowing him to do his job, and that’s the big difference.
The real Alexander Isak has arrived
When Liverpool agreed to spend £125million on Isak, the message was a clear one.
This is our replacement for Mohamed Salah. Not in terms of position, but in terms of role within the team. Isak was signed to replace the Egyptian as Liverpool’s main goal threat. His job was going to be simple: score the goals to keep the Reds in contention.
Richard Hughes initially had what he felt was a reliable and robust supply line in Cody Gakpo, Salah and Florian Wirtz. He just needed someone to be the difference-maker when the chances arrived.
Last season, Isak looked like an awkward fit under Slot – barely involved, and then picking the ball up in non-threatening areas. He didn’t look like a goal threat or a goalscorer.
Now, though, we’re seeing what a difference-maker he is – a reliable match-winner even when he isn’t at his best. Simply having him on the pitch and getting him the ball on a regular basis makes all the difference. The radar above gives you a snapshot of this. More shots, yes. But better shots.