How Andoni Iraola plans to get the best out of Alexander Isak
New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola faces a major tactical challenge to unlock the best form from club-record signing Alexander Isak.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Alexander Isak joined Liverpool for a club-record fee of £125m last summer.
- His debut season at Anfield was disrupted by injuries, scoring only 3 goals in 14 league appearances.
- Manager Andoni Iraola is working on tactical adjustments to maximize the Swedish striker's potential.
- Liverpool dominated possession with 70% against Nottingham Forest but struggled against low blocks.
During Liverpool's negotiations with Paris St-Germain for Bradley Barcola, the Anfield hierarchy maintained a firm stance not to exceed the club-record £125m they invested in Alexander Isak last summer. The impending £123m transfer for Barcola will establish the French winger as the 10th player in Premier League history to command a £100m-plus price tag.
With no player costing more than Isak, massive expectations naturally accompany the former Newcastle United striker. Isak netted 44 Premier League goals across his final two campaigns at Newcastle, but his inaugural season at Anfield was severely hampered by injuries, limiting the 26-year-old to just three goals across 14 top-flight appearances.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
For Andoni Iraola, who began his tenure with back-to-back draws, achieving success at Anfield heavily relies on unlocking Isak's full capabilities. Despite scoring, Isak remained largely ineffective during Saturday's 2-2 stalemate against Nottingham Forest. Over the opening 45 minutes, his struggles were evident with a mere six touches, one accurate pass, and zero shots on goal.
Iraola's home league debut was observed by incoming vice-chairman Amit Bhatia, principal owner John Henry, and sporting director Richard Hughes, the key architect behind Isak's acquisition. Fortunately, Isak leveled the score after the interval. Although he recorded just seven additional touches in the second half, the Swedish center-forward timed his run impeccably to meet Cody Gakpo's cross for his opening goal of the campaign.
"That trust isn't there"
BBC Sport
Liverpool's opening two fixtures yielded identical 2-2 draws despite controlling 60% possession against Newcastle and 70% against Forest. This highlights a broader tactical hurdle for Iraola, whose Bournemouth side historically thrived in transition and counter-pressing while struggling in matches with dominant possession. Transitioning from a counter-attacking philosophy to breaking down deep defensive blocks remains a central challenge at Anfield.
With Mohamed Salah departing and Hugo Ekitike sidelined by injury, the burden of delivering goals rests heavily on Isak. While only Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Ollie Watkins have outscored him in the Premier League since his arrival in England, adapting to opponents who deploy low defensive blocks against Liverpool requires a significant shift from his prolific counter-attacking days at Newcastle.
Source: BBC Sport
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