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Alexander Isak has endured a sluggish beginning to his Liverpool career following his switch from Newcastle.
The Swedish striker has managed just two goals for the Reds from his opening 12 outings for the club, with his maiden Premier League effort arriving in last weekend's triumph over West Ham. However, despite breaking his duck against the Hammers, the forward's displays continue to face examination.
Since his recent comeback from a groin problem, he has been restricted to an average of merely 14 touches across his previous three starts. Arne Slot defended the striker during his latest press conference before Liverpool's journey to Leeds on Saturday, though acknowledged his team must improve at involving the forward more frequently in the final third.
Admittedly, some of Isak's struggles come as little surprise. He had been playing catch-up after his Anfield arrival on transfer deadline day, having effectively downed tools and trained in isolation at Newcastle while attempting to engineer his exit.
Nevertheless, former Magpies scout Paul Montgomery reckons the striker would have always required time to settle at Liverpool regardless, highlighting how the forward must adapt to a contrasting playing approach with the Reds.
"We saw what Isak can do at Newcastle," he said on the Beyond the Back Four podcast. "One thing I'm negative about Isak is that his game has to change.
"His game was brilliant at Newcastle because they played on the counter at Newcastle, they played in behind the opposition defence, which suited Isak because he's quick. They used to play balls over the top and boom, Isak, (Jacob) Murphy, (Anthony) Gordon, they were all dangerous because of that.
"Now, he's playing for Liverpool, who have the ball more and have to open doors more. It's a different way to play that Isak has to learn. He needs more close control, to play more in the box. Most teams who play Liverpool have a brick wall you have to get through. Mentally, he has a different game he has to get to now because in the past the team played to his attributes; he isn't going to get that at Liverpool."
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer echoed these sentiments after witnessing Isak net his first Premier League goal for Liverpool, expressing concerns about how the Reds are delivering the ball to the striker.
"I do think there were little signs that they are going to have to get used to him and also play earlier ball into him because a lot of what Alex does is off the cuff," he told the Rest is Football podcast. "I know a lot of it was balls in behind, but also it is off the cuff and spontaneous. Not just for him, but any striker – you have got to get the ball into the box early when you have got the opportunity to do it. To get the best out of him, you have got to do that."
Meanwhile, speaking on Match of the Day, he commented: "It's about getting the very best from him, which at times he's going to need help from his teammates. He has to do better, obviously, we've not seen as much as we thought.
"But we saw it's very much a work in progress. There were some really positive signs, but also signs where he can definitely improve with his teammates' understanding of what he needs to make his game better. This one he has every right to moan, shout, scream (at Joe Gomez), there's no need to take a touch there, it's a great ball to whip in.
"It doesn't come in first time, it has to then come in second time with the left foot, otherwise you're doing the forward no good whatsoever. It's a really good opportunity to get the ball into a forward who needs to be fed.
"Same thing again, I think that's a good run, if he doesn't get it the first time, he has to get it the second time, again that ball has to come in. You can see him having a moan, and he's absolutely right.
"This (his goal) is what happens, this is how deadly he can be if you get the balls in at the right time, at the right pace. He works the space really well, doesn't do a lot to create it, sometimes standing still is the best part, but that is a fantastic finish, that is what he's all about. But he needs his teammates to help him do it, there are so many times where the ball can come in earlier for him and go in behind."
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