Alexander Isak is beginning to look like the striker Liverpool paid a British-record fee to sign. Three goals over his three Premier League starts, a rapid-fire pair in the 2-0 victory at Ipswich, have given the club a flying start and the first evidence that last season’s woes are over.
From Struggle to Spark
Isak barely played and was always a problem at Anfield, and his early career at the club was ruined by injury and lack of fitness. This time, the above image doesn’t apply. He is sharper after a full pre-season, and early signs seem to point towards the movement, timing and finish that have made him so lethal again.
The Swedish striker has featured in all league games under the new manager Andoni Iraola, and has matched his whole Premier League scoring from last season. Both of the Portman Road goals in the opening moments were shot down with ease and confidence. Iraola has discussed how fit Isak is, and what would happen if he did not go away.
When a striker is in good form, it alters your team. It gives Liverpool a target to shoot at, and early goals can invigorate the whole team. Going forward, if Isak maintains the standard that he has been demonstrating, then the urgency surrounding his fee starts to subside.
After all, it’s only three games. But it’s the early signs which are the best Liverpool have had since the day he came. Although a strong start doesn’t always translate to a strong season, it does mean something that has been missing for much of last year. The club knows that their record signing, at least, can be the difference-maker they think he was supposed to be.
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