Liverpool learn Alexander Isak truth the HARD way after £125m deadline day deal

Liverpool have learned the hard way that Alexander Isak still isn’t up to the rigours of playing twice a week for the Reds.

That was the assessment of Arne Slot, speaking after the British record transfer signing’s latest injury blow.

Isak, 26, featured from the outset against Manchester United on Sunday - following two sets of 90 minutes for Sweden during the international window.

And the new Liverpool No9 was summoned again to start for the Champions League league phase showdown against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night.

Alas, the £125m man only made it to half-time. Something didn’t feel right in his groin and his place in the team for the second half went to Federico Chiesa instead.

Liverpool waiting for Isak's best form

It’s not yet known the extent of the latest injury blow to be suffered by Isak - and right now we are uncertain whether he can feature in the Premier League this weekend against Brentford.

However it goes without saying that Liverpool expected MORE from Isak by this stage.

He is the fourth-most expensive player in football history - but has yet to demonstrate consistent match fitness, let alone the world-class form that saw him score 23 top-flight goals for Newcastle last season.

The Reds knew it would be a painstaking process - with Isak having failed to play a proper preseason and missing Newcastle’s first three games of the season owing to his self-exile from the squad.

Isak fails first challenge

Arne Slot and his team of coaches had to be patient - but they believed he would be ready by the time the October international window ended.

Following his exertions for Sweden - he reported back to the AXA Training Centre fully fit and ready to face United. What followed was another unconvincing outing - before the knock he suffered against Frankfurt in midweek.

Just when Slot and Co. thought they could go full throttle and challenge Isak to play with the regularity required for a top Premier League and European team, they’ve had to abandon that plan.

No doubt it’s frustrating - for Slot and for Isak - but the warning signs were there.

Sam McGuire's warning

“He’s not exactly shown himself to be someone who has it in him to play 3,000 league minutes plus 500 minutes in the Champions League. For the rumoured £120million, you at least want availability, don’t you?” wrote Sam McGuire on these pages before Isak’s signing.

And so it’s come to pass.

Last season he played more league football than he’s ever done before but didn’t have European games to contend with. The minute he’s asked to step on it for the Reds - he breaks down.

And a cursory check of his injury history will reveal the truth. Ever since 2021, he’s had a variety of upper-leg injuries - thigh, hamstring and groin. While last season he didn’t miss too much football as a result, his availability was still affected.

And the workload - not to mention the expectations - are so much higher now for a £125m player.

Can he stand up to what Liverpool are asking? The first answer to that question is “not yet”. But Isak is going to have to get more robust and do it fast.

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