Michael Owen thinks Liverpool must expect significantly more from Alexander Isak, who failed to make an impact against his former club at St James' Park. The Reds could only muster a draw, finishing 2-2 with Newcastle.
Last season was plagued by injuries for Isak, the most expensive signing in English football history, as he started just nine Premier League matches. However, Owen now argues that the previous justifications for his poor form are becoming less valid.
Owen stated:
I've had my fair share of injuries throughout my career, so I understand how challenging it can be to make a comeback. It truly does require time.
We've afforded Isak that time, and people have been sympathetic to his situation. But he finished the season, played at the World Cup, and had a full pre-season — it makes you think, well, the excuses are running out.
We need to see the real Isak. We know how good he is. He showed top-notch class at Newcastle, but we haven't seen that at Liverpool yet.
Liverpool need him badly. Salah has gone, Ekiteke is injured, and there are limited options up front. They require Isak at his best, and yesterday he was a million miles away from that. He lacked sharpness — and that’s concerning.
He's the record transfer everyone's talking about. But I can't sit here and say he performed well, because he didn’t.
Andoni Iraola, meanwhile, believes the hostile reception from Newcastle's fans didn’t significantly impact Isak’s performance:
I think he knew what the atmosphere would be like. It wasn't a major surprise for him. He tried hard, kept battling, and looked for his moments.
