Jamie Carragher has voiced concern over Alexander Isak's future at Liverpool and whether the Premier League's record signing will ever meet expectations
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has questioned whether Alexander Isak will justify his price tag at Anfield. The Premier League's all-time record signing has suffered a nightmarish debut season on Merseyside following his £125million switch from Newcastle last summer.
Isak, 26, netted his fourth goal for the club in Saturday's 3-1 victory at home to Crystal Palace. His appearance against the Eagles represented his third start since returning from the leg fracture he sustained against Tottenham in December.
Nevertheless, a considerable journey lies ahead before the Swede can be deemed to have warranted his staggering fee. And Carragher is deeply concerned given, in his experience, no player truly flourished at Liverpool after a poor maiden campaign.
"[The big-spending summer] hasn't worked," he told the Liverpool Echo. "It might work in the future because I don't think you can judge every signing in the first year.
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"But I've said this before; my experience as a Liverpool player, every player who came to the club, I can't remember one who didn't really do much in his first season, and then was a revelation afterwards. Isak hasn't got going. He obviously got the injury, but he didn't look great to start with."
Isak's situation is rather unique in that several factors need to be taken into account. Arne Slot's squad were navigating a period of transition following their Premier League triumph last season and integrating £446million worth of fresh talent has presented its own set of complications.
The striker's leg injury towards the end of 2026 also dealt a further blow to his prospects, essentially rendering this campaign a lost cause as the side struggled even more without him. With that in mind, Champions League-winner Carragher offered his thoughts on what he believes must happen this summer to mount a renewed title challenge.
"In terms of what Liverpool need to do next season, well obviously they need to replace [Mohamed] Salah," he added. "I think for me, three players need to come straight into the team."
"You can't go on and buy five players into the team. Liverpool bought a lot of players last summer, so they are not going to buy a load this summer."
The declining form of Salah and, on occasion, Virgil van Dijk, combined with Alisson's fitness problems, have held Liverpool back at times. Those three figures alone have been so vital to the Reds' recent period of success that it stands to reason the team should struggle when they're either out of sorts or unavailable.
Yet it's hard to fault supporters for feeling that excuse only stretches so far given a £446m summer splurge. And while Isak may be afforded some leeway for his disappointing debut campaign, Liverpool run the risk of overseeing the most embarrassing flop signing in Premier League history unless there's a dramatic turnaround next season.
GunnArs
1
as usual with carragher; lot of talking, not much saying.
Sazdilnstu
4
Carragher always see foreign players to criticize. His country man Delap is at Chelsea performing woefully but no one talks about him and they used criticism killed Jackson when he was at the realm.
nuzceknru
1
Carragher should go and eat shit.
Neadenpstu
0
should never have let keller go
fkwsh
2
Isak goal against Palace was a gem from a special predator. Hitting it onto the ground to confuse the goalie, I liked it.
sowbdeklsz
1
dh
wunadeloty
4
his job is just sit on studio and keep criticizing players and coaches. what a clown!!
seocilopy
2
Isak is a right fit for Liverpool give him space and time, let him have a proper off-season training you will see him, if you look at our Liverpool they are no good wingers who can supply good crosses, our wingers are off pace they are not giving him chances like what Nunez was getting, Nunez was getting lot of chances but was missing them give those chances to Isak you will see
seocilopy
3
These so called legends are destroying players carriers while them they were avarage players, they're are even failing to coach league 2 clubs but they are busy coaching superstars in social media
vueeikms
3
Liverpool owners and the coach didn't consider and take time to understand Alexander isak play style of football when he was at Newcastle, he is very good finisha but the play style at Liverpool is not going to help him until it is changed.
zekabcnru
4
And this coming from someone who has never won the prem🙄
cubabeiryz
5
This carragha is a very stupid and was worse as a player 😤😤
BieberSmith
4
i won't say anymore,