13 hours ago
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When Liverpool sold Darwin Nunez and signed Alexander Isak during the summer, most fans saw the move as an upgrade.
After all, Isak arrived at Anfield on the back of two consecutive 20-plus-goal seasons in the Premier League for Newcastle to become one of the most feared strikers in European soccer, while Nunez scored just five goals in the same competition last term.
Yet, three months into Isak's arrival and Nunez's exit, things aren't working out for Liverpool. The Reds find themselves 12th in the Premier League table and already 11 points behind Arsenal in the title race, one that Liverpool is surely no longer in.
One of the main reasons why the Reds are struggling is that their star summer signings, bar Hugo Ekitike, aren't delivering. Florian Wirtz is still waiting for his first assist in the Premier League, while Milos Kerkez doesn't seem to be an upgrade on Andy Robertson.
Isak has also struggled at Liverpool, failing to score and registering just a single assist in the Premier League. Much more was expected of the most expensive player in the history of English soccer, who cost Liverpool a staggering £125 million ($164.9 million).
Excuses have been made for Isak. The player's lack of a preseason at Newcastle has been highlighted, as has his recent groin injury.
Yet he's since recovered from that injury, while the preseason excuse just doesn't work anymore. Isak has nine first-team games for Liverpool under his belt, plus competitive minutes for Sweden. He should be ready to start scoring goals.
Nunez, meanwhile, is flourishing out in Saudi Arabia, having already scored four times in the league for new club Al-Hilal.
Adding further insult to injury is the fact that Nunez started his Liverpool career much stronger than Isak has. By this point in the 2022-23 season, Nunez's first in England, the Uruguayan already had five Premier League goals, including a brace against Southampton.
Like Isak, Nunez also cost Liverpool a fortune when he arrived from Benfica during the summer of 2022. The Reds agreed an £85 million (£112.1 million) deal to sign Nunez before cutting their losses earlier this year by selling him an £56.6 million ($74.7 million) deal.
Nunez also arrived at Anfield with a reputation as one of Europe's top strikers. It's easy to forget that he scored 34 goals during his final season at Benfica. Nunez and Isak both experienced similar high-profile moves to Liverpool.
In hindsight, Liverpool took a gamble by selling Nunez, someone who scored 40 goals in three years and was a good option off the bench, and bringing in Isak.
Many fans and critics will argue that Isak is still an upgrade on Nunez, but, right now at least, that doesn't seem to be the case. The Swedish striker must start scoring soon if he's to prove himself as the real deal and the future of Liverpool's attack.
Patience is wearing thin.
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