Danny Murphy points at 'bigger picture' in new Alexander Isak transfer verdict

The former Liverpool midfielder has called for patience and believes Liverpool's record signing will begin to repay the faith shown in him by Anfield bosses last summer

Danny Murphy has said Liverpool will not regret signing Alexander Isak(Image: Getty Images)

Danny Murphy has said Liverpool will not regret the decision to sign Alexander Isak despite his difficult start to life at Anfield.

The striker has managed just two Premier League goals since his record-breaking £125 million ($168M) switch from Newcastle United in September, and has also struggled with fitness issues. He arrived unable to play after essentially missing an entire summer of preparation and then suffered a groin injury in October.

Following his recovery, the Swede played in eight consecutive matches from mid-November but suffered a broken leg while scoring the winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur in the Reds’ final fixture before Christmas.

Isak is not expected back for another few months, and so far, he has represented poor value on the extravagant transfer fee Liverpool paid last summer. The situation is only exacerbated by Hugo Ekitike’s excellent start to life at Anfield, with the Frenchman netting 12 times this season.

Ekitike essentially joined as Isak’s back-up, and fans have understandably questioned whether the Reds would have been better served by signing just one no.9 last summer. However, that’s not a view shared by Murphy.

“I don't think Liverpool would do it differently because their belief in their working method is focused on the bigger, long-term picture,” the former Liverpool midfielder said, via BoyleSports.

Isak suffered a broken leg last month(Image: Getty Images)

“I agree that Hugo Ekitike has surpassed the expectations of probably even the recruitment team and Liverpool staff.

“However, to be the best team in England and Europe, you need brilliant attacking players. Perhaps their thinking was that those two players could share the load, given the number of games played now.

“Also, Ekitike has the capability of playing wide and as a no.10, and we might have seen him more in wider areas had Alexander Isak stayed fitter for longer or hit the ground running.

Murphy has backed Isak to succeed(Image: BBC Sport)

“So, I don't think they'd look back and change it now. I believe it was a strategic plan for the next four or five years of the club, not just one season.

“Obviously, nobody anticipated what has happened with Isak, but all in all, they should be genuinely happy and content with the risk they took on Ekitike because he is clearly a super talent and already a favourite with the fans. As I said, it's a long-term plan.

“They need both of those players moving forward, especially when considering them both at their best, whether Ekitike is starting wide or as a no.10, or coming off the bench for Isak.

“Liverpool aim to be in the latter stages of four competitions every season. I think that's why they made the decision, and I believe it will pay dividends in the end.”