“Sky reporter criticizes Liverpool player as ‘completely invisible’ after failing to win a single duel in Anfield defeat.”
One Liverpool player faced sharp criticism for a “completely anonymous” display as the Reds suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Arne Slot’s side endured their sixth Premier League loss of the season—already 50% more than their total defeats in last year’s campaign—after 19th-placed Forest arrived at Anfield and claimed what Wayne Rooney described as a “comfortable” victory.
Alexander Isak, who had scored in each of his previous four top-flight games against Forest, struggled to make an impact this time around.
Isak’s subdued performance draws criticism
Reinstated in the starting lineup, the 26-year-old was substituted midway through the second half as Slot tried to spark a turnaround. Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter noted on live commentary: “Robertson and Chiesa being readied. Isak’s afternoon is over. He’s been completely anonymous again.”
Missed opportunity to impress
Given the nod over Hugo Ekitike, Isak had a prime chance to make a statement to Slot and the Liverpool fans, but his subdued showing only strengthened calls for Ekitike’s return against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle rated Isak 4/10, noting that the Swede “touched the ball once in the opening quarter” and that his overall performance was “not great.”
Match stats underline a difficult afternoon for the club-record £125m signing: he lost all seven duels, completed just six of eight passes, failed to register a shot on target, and touched the ball only 15 times in 68 minutes.
While disrupted pre-season preparations and a groin injury have hindered him, Isak—like the rest of Liverpool—was well below expectations.
It would be premature to label him a flop, but the Swede will need a strong showing soon to silence the criticism generated by this disappointing performance.
