Isak must finally justify his 145 million price tag at Liverpool

Alexander Isak arrived at Anfield as the most expensive signing in Premier League history. Liverpool paid 145 million euros for a striker who had excelled at Newcastle and was expected to lead the attack of the reigning English champions. A year later, the Swede faces a massive challenge: proving he is worth every single euro of that investment.

• Isak scored only four goals in 22 appearances during his first season as a Liverpool player.
• The Swedish forward forced his exit from Newcastle and arrived without a preseason, which hurt his start.
• A broken leg in December kept him sidelined until April.
• He failed to register a goal or an assist in seven Champions League appearances last season.
• His brace against Ipswich Town in nine minutes restores confidence before the clash with Atlético Madrid.

A first season at Liverpool far from the expected level

Isak's debut with the Liverpool shirt could not have been more disappointing. Four goals in 22 matches are numbers unworthy of a striker of his quality and, above all, of the most expensive transfer ever completed by a Premier League club. The Anfield team, freshly crowned champions and with nearly 500 million spent on signings, expected much more from their new star.

However, the Swedish international had mitigating circumstances. He forced his departure from Newcastle United to the point of remaining on the sidelines, skipped preseason with his teammates and stayed away from the group until the transfer was completed. Almost three months passed between his last official match for the Magpies in the summer of 2025 and his return to the pitch.

Lack of rhythm, bench time and a broken leg that halted his recovery

That extended period without competitive action translated into many matches starting from the bench, an obvious lack of match fitness and a campaign start that fell far short of expectations. Just as he began to regain form after several months away from his best level, a broken leg in December sent him to the treatment room until April.

The first glimpses of the Isak who dazzled at St James' Park came with Sweden at the World Cup. Now, with no excuses or injuries in the way, he must finally prove he is the striker Liverpool paid 145 million euros for.

The brace against Ipswich, Isak's best sign at Anfield

His performance against Ipswich Town was the clearest evidence that the forward can rediscover his best form. Two goals in just nine minutes, with sharp movement and precise finishing, gave him his first brace since wearing the red shirt. A display that restores hope to a side that needs its number nine firing to compete for the Premier League and the Champions League.

Isak is exactly the kind of striker Andoni Iraola needs for his system: quick, mobile and clinical in the box. The Basque coach trusts that this brace will be the turning point for the Swede to become the face of the project.

The Champions League, his biggest unfinished business

If there is one competition where Isak needs to make amends, it is the Champions League. Last season he failed to score a single goal or provide an assist for Liverpool in the continental tournament. His contribution was practically non-existent, and in none of the seven matches he featured in did he play more than 70 minutes.

The tie against Paris Saint-Germain in April, which ultimately sealed Arne Slot's fate in the Anfield dugout, was the low point. Twelve minutes in the first leg and substituted at half-time in the second. A token role that cannot be repeated.

Atlético Madrid and the pressure of Anfield, the ultimate test

When the ball starts rolling at Anfield this Wednesday against an Atlético Madrid side with recent history of European battles against the Reds, much of the pressure will rest on Isak's shoulders. The Swede absolutely must justify his price tag in a high-stakes encounter, the kind that defines great strikers.

Wirtz, a similar case to Isak's

Isak's situation bears certain parallels with Florian Wirtz. The German, for whom Liverpool paid 125 million euros, has also failed to show the level that dazzled at Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen. In his case, injuries are no excuse: he simply has not performed.

Iraola is trying to find him a place in the number 10 role, but so far without success. After a mediocre first campaign, Wirtz cannot afford another lukewarm year. Neither can Isak.