Alexander Isak endured a torrid return to St James' Park last weekend and his issues in Liverpool's side could continue despite him getting off the mark yesterday.
Isak has struggled to find form and fitness since his British record £125million move last summer. The acrimonious transfer went through on deadline day but 12 months later, with another deadline day upon us, the player and club continue to have problems.
First goal of the campaign
That is despite the Swedish striker netting his first goal of the campaign, tapping home in a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday. Having looked short on confidence at St James' when he was loudly and relentlessly booed and jeered, it was a relief that he finally got on the scoresheet.
It still wasn't a vintage Isak performance, however, though an improvement on his display on Tyneside. Isak and his teammates often appeared on different wavelengths and he was a peripheral figure, being outpaced and outmuscled by the Forest defence at times.
In the first half he managed just six touches, one accurate pass and zero shots. There was an improvement after the break - slightly - and the bonus of a goal but it still wasn't a £125m performance.
Pundit's verdict on Isak's role
"It is clear that Liverpool haven't worked out how to play with Alexander Isak yet," said ex-England goalkeeper Joe Hart, who was watching the game as a pundit for Match of the Day.
"At Newcastle everything flowed through him. That was down to a trust thing that they had built up over time - their midfield knew exactly where he was and they didn't even need to look up as he'd be there waiting.
"At Liverpool that trust just isn't there at the moment - no-one is feeling it and he isn't that central point, which is leading to him looking lost and isolated."
Crossroads for Liverpool
Andoni Iraola has some big decisions to make. Does he base his team round him [Isak] or does he try to find a different solution within his squad? In my opinion he's got to commit to what the club have done by investing so heavily in Isak.
"There's no point signing these players if you aren't going to use them properly and play to their strengths. There's no doubting Isak's quality - they are just at a bit of a crossroads at the moment."
"As an attacking force it isn't flowing for Liverpool. With the physical nature of the Premier League and with them not 100% sure on what they are doing at the moment, teams are stomping all over them."
"It's going to take a whole lot of work from Iraola and his staff on the training pitch, but he is a top coach and they have top players."
