Alexander Isak’s move from Newcastle United to Liverpool was one of the most dramatic transfer stories of the season, and the aftermath has been anything but smooth for the Swedish striker.
Since forcing his way out of St. James’ Park on deadline day, Isak has found himself in a difficult position both on and off the pitch. His form has dipped, his confidence has been questioned, and Newcastle fans have not held back their frustration.
Yet despite all the noise around him, Isak insists he does not need anyone else to remind him of how challenging these first few months at Liverpool have been.
His time on Tyneside ended on sour terms. He skipped sessions, made it clear he wanted the move, and ultimately left a fanbase that once adored him feeling betrayed.
The excitement Liverpool supporters had when he arrived has slowly faded as he has struggled to adapt. With just one Premier League goal in eight games and Liverpool slipping in the standings, the pressure around him continues to grow.
His lack of a proper pre-season has also affected his sharpness, and he has often looked a step off the pace when called upon.
Isak’s recent appearance off the bench in Liverpool’s match against Leeds United summed up his current situation. Coming on with only a few minutes to play, he watched helplessly as Liverpool conceded a 96th-minute equaliser that left the stadium stunned.
It was another reminder that not much has gone right since he swapped black-and-white stripes for red.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Isak opened up about how difficult this chapter has been, but he also made it clear that he is fully aware of his shortcomings. He spoke with honesty, admitting that nothing has been easy, not for him personally and not for the team as a whole.
He recognised that Liverpool have not been getting results, and he knows he has not reached the level expected of him. Despite all that, he is trying to stay positive, pushing himself to improve, and focusing on what lies ahead.
Isak explained that he always sets high expectations for himself, even when things are going well. His desire to achieve more has never changed. What came across strongly was his insistence that he does not need anyone else to judge his performances.
In his words, he is always the first to know when he is performing well or poorly. He made it clear that outside criticism does not define him. What matters is the work he puts in and the progress he makes.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has also tried to ease the pressure surrounding his new striker. Slot reminded the media that Isak was not signed to deliver instant results in a matter of weeks.
He stressed that Liverpool invested in a long-term project, one that is meant to unfold over six years, not six months. Slot acknowledged that the first few months were always going to be complicated.
Isak arrived without a proper pre-season, he needed time to adjust to a new system, and he has had to find his rhythm in a team that was already under scrutiny.
Slot admitted that no player wants to come off after sixty minutes or start one match only to sit on the bench the next. It is not the ideal way to begin a career at a new club, but the manager believes the long-term plan matters more than the early bumps.
He also dismissed the growing focus on Isak’s statistics, pointing out that Liverpool view him as an investment for the future, not a player to be judged over a handful of appearances.
For Isak, the road back to his best form may take time, but he seems determined to rise above the criticism and prove why Liverpool pushed so hard to bring him in.
He knows he is not performing to the level people expected, but he is not running from it. He wants to work, he wants to improve, and he wants to contribute.
Even with all the noise surrounding his transfer and the disappointment from Newcastle fans, Isak is trying to stay focused on rebuilding himself at Anfield. Whether he succeeds will depend on how quickly he adapts and how strongly he responds to the pressure—something he seems ready to face head-on.
