Andoni Iraola's start as Liverpool manager has yielded back-to-back 2-2 draws, and at the heart of the discussion around his side's early-season form is how best to utilise record signing Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker, who joined for a club-record £125m last summer, scored his first goal of the campaign in Saturday's draw with Nottingham Forest, but his overall involvement in the game raised fresh questions about how he fits into Iraola's system.
Isak endured a difficult debut season at Anfield, managing just three goals in 14 Premier League appearances amid injury problems, a stark contrast to the 44 goals he scored across his final two seasons at Newcastle United. This summer, having impressed for Sweden at the World Cup, he arrived at pre-season looking sharper, though his return to Tyneside last weekend proved a struggle. Against Forest, he managed only six touches, one accurate pass and no shots in the first 45 minutes before growing into the game after the break.
It was in the second half that Isak found his moment, meeting a delivery from Cody Gakpo to level the scoreline and register his first goal since joining the club last year. Speaking to TNT Sports afterwards, Isak reflected on the significance of the strike: "That's the job ultimately as a striker [to score goals]. I am very happy to score the first one and hopefully it just keeps coming." Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard described the goal as an important moment for both the player and the team.
Despite the goal, former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, working as a pundit for Match of the Day, argued that Liverpool have yet to figure out how to maximise Isak's qualities. Hart pointed to the understanding Isak built with Newcastle's midfield over time, suggesting that kind of chemistry has not yet developed at Anfield. "At Liverpool that trust just isn't there at the moment - no-one is feeling it and he isn't that central point, which is leading to him looking lost and isolated," Hart said, adding that Iraola faces a significant decision on whether to build his team around the striker or explore alternatives. Hart was clear on his own view, insisting that having invested so heavily in Isak, the club should commit to shaping the side to suit him.
Part of the challenge stems from the contrast between Isak's effectiveness in a counter-attacking Newcastle side and the more possession-heavy approach now being asked of him at Liverpool. In both league games so far this season, Liverpool have dominated the ball - 60% against Newcastle and 70% against Forest - yet have trailed in each match and are still to lead a Premier League fixture under Iraola. That dynamic mirrors patterns from Iraola's time at Bournemouth, where his side won just four of 19 league matches in which they held majority possession, compared to nine victories in games where they had less of the ball. Bournemouth, in fact, failed to win a single match in which they had more than 58.8% possession last season.
Hart suggested that Liverpool's attacking play has yet to click, noting that opponents have been able to impose themselves physically while the team continues to search for cohesion. He nonetheless expressed confidence that Iraola, whom he described as a top coach working with top players, can find solutions on the training ground.
With Mohamed Salah's Liverpool future no longer part of the picture and Hugo Ekitike sidelined through injury, greater responsibility now falls on Isak to lead the line. Since his first Premier League season, only Erling Haaland, Salah and Ollie Watkins have scored more league goals than the Swede. Asked whether he sets personal targets, Isak said simply: "Not really. I think every striker wants to score [in] every game he plays. Obviously that's difficult but [we take] each game at a time." Whether that mindset yields consistent returns may determine how quickly Iraola's Liverpool find their attacking identity.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.