Alexander Isak has struggled to rediscover his goalscoring form since completing a £125m move to Liverpool in the summer, and Alan Shearer has spoken out again on the ex-Newcastle man
Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer has explained why Hugo Ekitike’s form at Liverpool may have had an impact on Alexander Isak. The Reds signed both strikers during the summer transfer window, which saw a £400million overhaul of the squad.
Arne Slot guided Liverpool to the Premier League title last season, but the Anfield hierarchy still invested in eight signings in the summer.
Isak and Ekitike were two of the most high-profile signings in the top flight, as well as at Anfield, with both players costing a combined £204million in total potential transfer fees.
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Ekitike has scored 10 goals for Liverpool across all competitions, while Isak has just two to his name since his £125million switch from Newcastle United.
Shearer has explained why Ekitike’s ability to settle in quickly to life at Liverpool has made it tougher for Isak to rediscover the same form that saw him named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for last season, believing that Isak will be aware of that, too.
“(Hugo) Ekitike has been the signing of the season for Liverpool, there’s no doubt about that and I think with all the noise that’s gone on at Liverpool, I guess Ekitike is the one that’s just sort of sailed through that. And has done right from the off,” Shearer told Betfair.
“Even in the Community Shield, he’s been the one that’s been consistent, delivering performances, scoring goals. And there has been a lot of noise at Anfield this season for obvious reasons, both with (Mohamed) Salah and Liverpool’s performances and everything else.
“I guess he and (Dominik) Szoboszlai are the only ones that have come through and have sort of played on a regular basis and played well.
“I guess in a way Ekitike’s form has made (Alexander) Isak’s harder to come by. Because when there’s enough pressure on you anyway, when you’ve been bought for that money, when you’ve got to Liverpool in the circumstances Isak did and then when the guy who costs, I don’t know, £40million less than you – still a lot of money, by the way, £85million.
“But the guy that’s come in for less than you is actually doing better than you, a lot better than you, then that puts more pressure on you as an individual. And I’m certain that Isak has felt that way.”
Isak has recently spoken about his time at Liverpool so far, and how he plans to rediscover his form following his big-money move from Newcastle.
“(Liverpool’s interest) was the most interesting thing for me,” Isak said in an interview with Sportbladet. “I felt quite early on that this was where I wanted to go. An overall picture. The club’s history, where the club is today and the next step it will take.
“I don’t really have the answer to that (why it’s been slow). The team – of course it has been slow, but that’s how it is in football. There are always teams that fly, and then it goes slower for others. It is important to turn it around.
“And for my part too, it’s not the first time in my career that I’ve gone through a period like this, or I’m in bad shape. That’s how a football career works, it’s just something you have to fight your way out of.”
