Liverpool's struggles this season cannot be pinned solely on Alexander Isak, despite the striker's underwhelming debut campaign. Manager Arne Slot and captain Virgil van Dijk have both acknowledged the difficulties Isak has faced, including injuries and a lack of pre-season preparation. However, the club's recruitment strategy under Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards has come under scrutiny, with costly signings failing to deliver expected results.
Isak, signed for £125m from Newcastle, has scored his first Premier League goal at home only in late April. Alongside Florian Wirtz, who cost up to £116m, the duo represent the most expensive double act on a Premier League scoresheet. Yet their impact has been minimal, with Wirtz also underwhelming. Slot has struggled to integrate both players effectively, while the team's defensive solidity has been compromised.
The recruitment team's decisions have been questioned, particularly the failure to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. Guehi joined Manchester City for £35m and has been one of the league's best defenders, while Liverpool's defensive gaps remain. Full-back recruitment has also been problematic, with Milos Kerkez losing his place to veteran Andy Robertson and Jeremie Frimpong being used out of position.
Liverpool spent £450m last summer but have slipped from first to fifth in the Premier League. While a return to Champions League places is possible, the underlying issues in squad construction persist. Only Hugo Ekitike, among the new signings, can be considered a success so far, highlighting a flawed transfer strategy that has left the team unbalanced.
