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Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor believes the time has come for Alexander Isak to justify the British-record transfer fee paid to secure him from Newcastle United during the summer window.
The ex-Reds forward suggests head coach Arne Slot may need to adjust his tactical approach to accommodate Isak alongside fellow summer signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike in the starting XI.
Isak has been absent for Liverpool since October 22, when he was forced off during a commanding 5-1 Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt due to a groin problem. His goal tally for the Merseyside club stands at just one - scored against Championship outfit Southampton in the Carabao Cup two months ago.
The Sweden international made his comeback after nearly four weeks on the sidelines on Saturday evening, featuring as his nation fell to defeat against Switzerland in World Cup qualifying. Mellor, a member of Rafa Benitez's 2005 Champions League-winning squad, is confident the number nine can finally demonstrate his capabilities at Anfield now his fitness has been restored.
"It's a big boost to see that he is fit and available for starters," Mellor told Sky Sports News. "He was, I mean we're talking [Erling] Haaland being the best striker in the Premier League, people were talking about Isak being the best last season.
"He was so influential for Newcastle with the season they had; qualifying for the Champions League and winning a trophy as well.
"So that is why Liverpool went out and bought him, because he is one of the best finishers. Isak is an unbelievable finisher and he has been brought into Liverpool FC to be that finisher; to score goals, to take chances.
"And it hasn't quite worked out in terms of the goal return and the injuries he's had, which has been frustrating, he hasn't been able to get his rhythm in the game. This was his big chance against Manchester United (shot saved by goalkeeper) and he needed that one to go in.
"But he is a top center-forward who has found it difficult early in the season because of the no pre-season and what happened at Newcastle. He's not alone in that, there's a few others in that category as well. But with the season as long as it is, he is going to play an important part for Liverpool.
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"And whether that is to get Liverpool into a much better position in the league, whether that's a real good run in the Champions League, you feel as though he will contribute to Liverpool. To see him back fit is big."
Mellor also believes Slot could alter his formation to accommodate Wirtz in a No.10 position and deploy Isak and Ekitike as a striking partnership.
He continued: "Who starts [between Isak and Ekitike]? I'd leave that one to the manager! You say Ekitike has been in form and he was but he has gone off the boil a little bit recently.
"It's not just him but the numbers will say one goal in eight games, which is surprising, and you're thinking when the break happens, does that help certain players?
"He got his first goal for France [against Ukraine], he'll be bouncing back at the AXA [Training Centre] when they come back before the Nottingham Forest game and that break will have done him the world of good.
"He is a player who is a little bit more raw than Isak in terms of the goals but then he started well with the goals and he hasn't scored recently, so that goal for France might just get him going again.
"So who starts? I think Ekitike because of his fitness but Isak will be knocking on the door and I am sure Ekitike will be well aware of that. They could play together, they did against Frankfurt and I thought they played well together, so that is another option to play together.
"Wirtz can play in behind [Isak and Ekitike], in a 4-4-2 diamond [formation]. He played on the right-hand side against Frankfurt and Salah didn't start that game. So fitting them all in is going to be a problem for the manager, but a good problem when they are all fit.
"So Liverpool's excuse at the moment isn't that they have this injury, that injury. Players are fit and it's a case of getting that form from the start of the season again. Seven wins in a row, everyone was saying: 'Liverpool will win the league again'. It's a long way to go.
"Now, because of the current run - what is it, lost six of the last seven? - people are saying Liverpool's season is finished. There is a long way to go. Christmas time, Liverpool have six more games before then. Let's see where we are then. Can Liverpool rediscover that form, that rhythm and a bit of momentum to try and get higher up the league."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.
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