Sky Sports reporter blasts ‘invisible’ Liverpool star after Anfield humiliation, noting he failed to win a single duel.
One Liverpool star came in for sharp criticism after delivering a ‘completely anonymous’ display during the Reds’ 3-0 home collapse against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Arne Slot’s side slipped to their sixth Premier League defeat of the campaign – already 50% more than their total from last season – as Forest, who began the day in 19th place, arrived at Anfield and strolled to what Wayne Rooney labelled a ‘comfortable’ win.
Alexander Isak had scored in all four of his previous league appearances against Forest, but he never looked likely to extend that run this time.
Isak blasted for ‘anonymous’ outing in Liverpool loss
Reinstated to the starting lineup by Slot, the 26-year-old was withdrawn midway through the second half as the manager searched desperately for a spark to rescue the champions.
Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter, covering the match live, wrote upon his substitution in the 68th minute: “Robertson and Chiesa being readied. Isak’s afternoon is over. He’s been completely anonymous again.”
Isak fails to take his chance to impress
Chosen ahead of Hugo Ekitike, this was the perfect moment for Liverpool’s club-record £125m signing to make a statement to Slot and the wider football world. Instead, he may have strengthened the case for the Frenchman to return to the lineup for Wednesday’s clash with PSV Eindhoven.
Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo awarded the Swede a disappointing 4/10 in his player ratings, noting that he managed only a single touch in the opening 15 minutes and politely describing his overall performance as “not great”.
The numbers back it up. According to Sofascore, Isak lost all seven duels he contested, completed just six passes from eight attempts in 68 minutes, failed to register a shot on target, and touched the ball only 15 times.
Isak’s disrupted pre-season and groin injury haven’t helped his rhythm, but this afternoon he – much like Liverpool as a whole – fell far short of the standards expected of him.
It would be premature to write him off so early in his Anfield career, but the Swede will need a strong performance soon to ease the scrutiny brought on by such a subdued showing.
