6 days ago
49
Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has explained why he believes Alexander Isak is finding it difficult to reproduce his Newcastle United form following his blockbuster move to Liverpool. The Reds secured Isak from the Magpies on transfer deadline day in a record deal.
Following his departure from St James' Park, Isak has netted just once for Liverpool across eight appearances, with that strike coming against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. Isak had endured three straight Premier League fixtures without scoring before missing the defeat to Brentford due to a groin injury.
Before his Anfield transfer, Isak notched 27 goals for Newcastle last campaign, including the decisive strike in the Carabao Cup final victory over the Reds in March.
That outstanding displays earned Isak a spot in the PFA Team of the Year for last season, though that version of the forward is presently vastly different from the one who has joined Anfield.
Saha, who found the net 84 times in 288 Premier League outings during spells at Manchester United, Everton, Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Sunderland, has now offered his verdict and suggested that Isak is overthinking matters.
"You can see that there is something holding Alexander Isak back," Saha told BetVictor. "Whatever it is, he's taking a split second to think about things, whereas at Newcastle, everything was very natural.
"That's why he was unpredictable, he could strike balls from left, right, and centre, header, and his movement was really, really difficult to mark. But this is something you have to adapt to.
"Now, without the best physique, you always have to concentrate more, and that's not easy.
"So I think it's just about gaining that confidence to the best level, especially as Liverpool is perhaps struggling at the moment with things going well. I'm sure Isak is going to be part of that success."
Nevertheless, Arne Slot possesses numerous attacking alternatives, including Hugo Ekitike, Federico Chiesa and Cody Gakpo, who can fill the void should Isak's struggles persist.
Ekitike, another summer acquisition, has enjoyed a brilliant beginning to life at the club, emerging as joint leading scorer this campaign with three goals from eight league appearances.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Meanwhile, Chris Sutton has also weighed in on Isak's struggles after he forced a move out of Newcastle earlier this year. He wrote: "It feels like what has happened to him is a case of you reap what you sow.
"Isak has been short of full fitness and especially sharpness all season anyway, and he did not help himself there by missing training with Newcastle in order to try to force his move to Anfield through.
"He got what he wanted, but now he is trying to play catch-up instead of hitting the ground running because of the time he had off, and that is when you can pick up injuries."
English (US) ·