There is something incredibly exciting about Alexander Isak right now.
Liverpool may not have found their rhythm going forward yet. Florian Wirtz is still trying to find his best position and influence games consistently, Bradley Barcola is still adapting, Cody Gakpo is finding his feet in a new attacking setup and the team as a whole is still learning exactly how Andoni Iraola wants them to play.
And yet Alexander Isak has four Premier League goals in five games.
Just imagine what happens when Liverpool’s attack actually clicks.
Isak’s latest goal came at Bournemouth on Sunday, as Liverpool ground out a 1-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium. It was not a vintage attacking performance from the Reds — Liverpool managed only six efforts on goal — but Isak was there when the opportunity presented itself.
That is what you pay a world-class striker for.
Isak is already delivering
There was a lot of pressure on Isak when he arrived at Liverpool.
The fee was enormous, expectations were huge and his first season was disrupted by injury. But there were always flashes of the striker Liverpool believed they were buying.
Now we’re starting to see them far more regularly.
Four league goals in five games is an excellent return, particularly when you consider that Liverpool’s attacking play is still very much a work in progress.
In fact, Isak has already surpassed the three Premier League goals he managed last season, and he has done it in just five appearances.
That’s the really encouraging part.
He’s scoring before Liverpool are even playing at their best.
And Gakpo is becoming a huge part of it
One of the most interesting developments has been the relationship between Isak and Cody Gakpo.
Gakpo has repeatedly been involved in Isak’s goals this season, and at Bournemouth he was again instrumental.
The Dutchman produced a brilliant run down the right, beating defenders before delivering into the box. The ball eventually fell kindly for Isak, who made no mistake with the finish.
That’s something Liverpool supporters should be excited about.
Because if Gakpo, Isak, Wirtz and Barcola can eventually develop a genuine understanding, Liverpool suddenly have an attack capable of causing serious problems.
And there is still more to come.
What happens when Wirtz finds his feet?
This is probably the biggest question.
Wirtz hasn’t yet shown anything close to his best form consistently, and his latest performance against Bournemouth was another quiet one.
But that’s exactly why Isak’s start is so encouraging.
Liverpool are getting goals from their £125m striker while one of their biggest attacking weapons is still searching for his rhythm.
If Wirtz suddenly starts finding pockets of space, carrying the ball through midfield and creating chances for the forwards, Isak should be one of the biggest beneficiaries.
Imagine Wirtz receiving the ball between the lines and slipping Isak through.
Imagine Barcola attacking defenders on one side while Gakpo does the same on the other.
Imagine Mac Allister finding those forwards with quicker passes from midfield.
That’s the Liverpool attack supporters have been waiting to see.
Isak could be frightening
And this is where I think Liverpool supporters should be genuinely excited.
We’re looking at a striker who has scored four times in five league games without the team around him being fully settled yet.
Iraola himself pointed out after the Bournemouth game that Isak will benefit when Liverpool spend more time playing in the opposition half and creating meaningful possession around the box.
That’s the key.
Liverpool need to get Isak closer to goal more often.
They need to give him more service.
They need to create more chances.
Because if they do, I don’t think we’ve seen anything close to the best of him yet.
The Bournemouth goal was a perfect example of why.
He didn’t need five chances.
He didn’t need a spectacular piece of individual brilliance.
The opportunity arrived and Isak finished it.
That’s what top strikers do.
The frightening thought for Liverpool’s opponents
Liverpool have already shown this season that they can win games without playing particularly well.
That’s an important development under Iraola.
The defence is becoming more reliable, Alisson is making big saves and Liverpool have now kept three consecutive Premier League clean sheets.
But the next step has to be getting the attack firing.
And if Iraola can achieve that while Isak continues scoring at this rate, Liverpool could become a very different proposition.
Because right now, we’re judging this attack while it’s still being assembled.
Wirtz is still adapting.
Barcola is still adapting.
Gakpo is finding another level.
Isak is getting sharper.
And Iraola is still working out exactly how all these attacking pieces fit together.
Four goals in five games is already impressive.
So just imagine Alexander Isak when Liverpool finally get everything clicking around him.
That could be when things get really exciting.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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