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Alexander Isak has his first goal for Liverpool, and with it, fans at Anfield saw a celebration that they hope will become a regular feature over the next few years.
Having been handed his second start for the club against Southampton in the Carabao Cup after completing his deadline day transfer from Newcastle, Isak marked the occasion in style with his first strike for the Reds.
Having gone close in the opening stages of the third round tie, only to be denied by Alex McCarthy, the 25-year-old would take his chance just before half-time, supplying a composed finish from Federico Chiesa’s cut-back to give Liverpool the lead.
It proved to be his final action of the game, with Arne Slot substituting him at half-time as he continues to build up Isak’s minutes following a summer in which he spent most of his time training away from his former Newcastle teammates.
Having scored for the first time as a Liverpool player, Isak pulled out what has become something of a trademark celebration for him, gesturing over his shoulder with his thumb before sliding on his knees infront of the Anfield crowd.
Liverpool fans will already be very familiar with the celebration, having seen him produce it during last season’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley, in which he fired Newcastle to a 2-1 victory over the Reds.
What the celebration means though is a mystery, with Isak having stayed silent on the matter, even when pressed on it in the past.
During an interview with Men In Blazers earlier this year, Isak was asked about where the celebration came from, but the striker gave very little away.
“That’s for another day,” he said.
“It’s a bit complicated. I don’t really know how exactly to explain it in English.
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“I’ve got an idea in Swedish but it’s for another day.”
Liverpool and Slot will hope to see the celebration a lot more as the season progresses, with Isak set to be in contention to start again when the Reds travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
"You don't have to be a manager to recognize how much quality he has,” Slot said after his debut last week. “But it's always nice to see if a player starts the way he starts, like Hugo Ekitike started the same as he did.”
Liverpool.com says: Whatever it means, let's hope we see that celebration plenty more times as the season goes on! It was a great finish from Isak, and hopefully a sign of what's to come from him now.
English (US) ·