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Cody Gakpo has acknowledged that Alexander Isak's lack of preseason action - caused by the drama surrounding the striker's move to Liverpool - was "a little unfortunate."
Isak was considered one of the world's top strikers during the summer, leading to a move to Anfield. However, the Swedish international has only found the back of the net once in his six appearances across all competitions for Liverpool.
The protracted saga surrounding Isak's departure from Newcastle lasted much of the summer and resulted in Eddie Howe managing his first-team squad without the striker, who had to train alone away from the main team. Consequently, he arrived at Liverpool lacking match fitness, having not featured in any preseason games.
Isak was among several high-profile arrivals at Anfield.
Florian Wirtz, another club-record signing at the time, and Hugo Ekitike also made the move to Merseyside and have been part of an attack that is yet to fully click. Gakpo recognizes there are positives, but minor issues have accumulated.
Speaking to Premier League Productions, he said: "I think it's always been difficult when new players come in to adapt to the team. But I think now when we have a lot of new players, sometimes it's difficult when you change the team.
"We lost also a lot of players who were here [for] a long time. We were together for a few good years now.
"So, some players left, Lucho [Luis Diaz] left, Darwin [Nunez] left, Jarell [Quansah] left and Harvey [Elliott] left as well.
"Then you have to replace them and new players come in and you need to make it fit. I think that's going well.
"We try to get to know each other every day better and better again. It's also a little unfortunate with Alex, who didn't really have a pre-season. It's all these things together - but I think we will find a way forward."
Eyebrows were raised when Liverpool persisted in its pursuit of Isak despite already securing Ekitike's services.
He arrived from Frankfurt and found the net in his opening three appearances, though his finest displays had come operating as a number nine, precisely the same role Isak occupies.
Arne Slot faces mounting pressure to get his expensively assembled attack firing on all cylinders, yet insists the pair can function well together.
"There is no headache at all, because I even think that these two players are happy that we have them both," he said.
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