Alexander Isak labelled ‘huge problem’ for Liverpool after £125m move

Alexander Isak has been heavily criticised by former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, who believes the £125million striker is struggling with the expectations surrounding him at Anfield.

Isak endured a difficult debut season following his British-record move from Newcastle United in 2025, scoring only four goals in 22 appearances during an injury-hit campaign.

The 26-year-old opened his account this season in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, but Warnock was far from impressed with his overall performance.

Warnock watched Isak against Forest and believes his contribution beyond the goal was alarmingly limited.

“Isak, apart from his goal, did absolutely nothing,” Warnock told GOAL. “He was so poor. He didn't look interested at all.”

The former Liverpool defender expected a different player after Isak completed a proper pre-season and represented Sweden at the World Cup.

Instead, he questioned whether the striker is coping with the pressure created by his enormous transfer fee.

“He didn't look like he could carry the shirt,” Warnock said. “That's a huge problem. It's that weight of expectation of the price tag to deliver.”

Warnock also dismissed a lack of understanding with teammates as a convincing explanation, arguing that daily training should have given Isak enough time to adapt.

Isak is only one part of a hugely expensive Liverpool attack.

Florian Wirtz cost £116m, Hugo Ekitike arrived for £79m and Bradley Barcola joined from Paris Saint-Germain for £123m this summer.

That leaves Andoni Iraola trying to accommodate more than £400m of attacking talent, with Warnock identifying a major imbalance.

Isak, Ekitike, Barcola and Cody Gakpo are all comfortable drifting towards the left, while Liverpool have not signed an obvious long-term successor to Mohamed Salah on the opposite flank.

Warnock therefore welcomed the decision to retain Gakpo after his proposed Manchester City move collapsed, believing his versatility could see him used more regularly on the right.

For Isak, however, the scrutiny is more immediate. After an underwhelming first campaign, Liverpool need considerably more from their record signing this season.

Isak now needs to turn his improved fitness into consistent performances and demonstrate that he can handle the expectations attached to Liverpool's record investment.

Iraola also has a wider tactical issue to solve. With several elite attackers preferring similar areas of the pitch, finding the right balance following Salah's departure could prove just as important as getting Isak firing.