Emile Heskey has urged patience with Alexander Isak after the Liverpool forward’s slow start to life at Anfield, drawing comparisons to Darwin Nunez’s early struggles.
The 25-year-old Swedish international joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in the summer for a club-record fee, but he has managed just one goal in all competitions so far. A groin injury picked up during the Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt this week has added to his frustrations.
Isak was expected to hit the ground running given his proven Premier League record with Newcastle, where he netted 35 goals across two seasons. However, a missed pre-season and disrupted rhythm appear to have slowed his adaptation to Arne Slot’s high-pressing system.
Heskey backs Isak to come good
“I think he will come good. He just needs to keep holding his head high… We’ve seen it with Darwin Nunez, who had to work on his mental strength too.” — Emile Heskey, via TEAMtalk
The former Liverpool striker explained that early struggles are common for big-money forwards adapting to the club’s expectations. Heskey noted that Nunez’s own form fluctuated after joining from Benfica in 2022 but improved once he developed greater composure and belief.
He urged Isak to show the same resilience. “He needs to continue to be aggressive, continue to work hard. He’ll get over this little blip and find his feet within that system,” Heskey said.
Missed pre-season a major factor
Liverpool sources have pointed out that Isak’s lack of pre-season minutes is a significant reason for his slow start. Having joined late in the window, he was eased into training and has struggled for full match sharpness.
So far this campaign, he has appeared tentative in front of goal, taking fewer shots per 90 than at Newcastle and finding it harder to link fluidly with Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz.
| Stat (2025/26) | Alexander Isak |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 8 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 0 |
| xG per game | 0.94 |
source: Sofascore match data – 23 October 2025
The striker’s confidence has visibly dipped, but Heskey’s message reflects Liverpool’s general stance — there is no panic. Club insiders believe Isak’s physical presence, movement, and calm finishing will shine through once he returns to full fitness.
Our View
In our view, Isak’s situation mirrors what several elite strikers face after a major move. The fee, the spotlight, and the expectation can easily magnify early setbacks. With Nunez, Liverpool learned that patience pays off; he eventually found rhythm through rotation and trust.
Isak’s intelligence and technical quality suggest he’ll thrive once he’s fully integrated into Slot’s positional play. His calmness in tight spaces could give Liverpool a different attacking profile — less chaos, more control — once the goals start flowing.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William writes:
I think Heskey’s comparison to Nunez is spot on. The pressure of being Liverpool’s record signing is immense, but Isak’s temperament has always been steady. His issue isn’t ability — it’s rhythm and chemistry.
We believe the Swedish striker will settle by mid-season. Once his link play with Szoboszlai and Salah clicks, Liverpool will have another potent weapon to share the load with Nunez. His long-term fit under Slot looks strong.
Key Insights
- Emile Heskey urges patience with Isak after tough start.
- Liverpool’s record signing has scored just once so far.
- Groin injury sustained vs Frankfurt adds to slow adaptation.
- Heskey compares Isak’s situation to Darwin Nunez’s early struggles.
- Missed pre-season cited as key reason for slow integration.
What’s Next
Isak’s recovery from his groin injury will be closely monitored, with Liverpool not expected to rush him back before November. The Reds face Brentford in the Premier League next, followed by a League Cup tie against Crystal Palace — matches that could offer opportunities for rotation.
Liverpool remain confident that their new No.9 will rediscover his scoring touch once fully fit. The key question is whether supporters will give him the same patience they once afforded Nunez.
👉 Do you think Alexander Isak will come good at Liverpool — or was the record fee too much pressure too soon?
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