Liverpool striker Alexander Isak finally broke his Premier League duck for the Reds, scoring the opening goal in a much-needed 2-0 victory against West Ham United on Sunday.
Long-Awaited Breakthrough
The Swedish international, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle United for a club-record £125 million during the summer transfer window, had previously found the net only once for his new club - against Championship side Southampton in the Carabao Cup back on September 23.
Despite hopes that would kickstart his Anfield career, Isak had failed to score in his subsequent seven appearances before the trip to East London, leaving fans and pundits questioning when the big-money signing would deliver.
Composed Finish Ends Frustration
The breakthrough came in the 60th minute at the London Stadium when Isak showed excellent composure to convert Cody Gakpo's pull-back, drilling the ball into the bottom corner to give Liverpool a crucial lead.
The relief was palpable as the 26-year-old celebrated his first Premier League goal in Liverpool colours, ending a drought that had stretched over two months since his Carabao Cup strike.
Manager's Embrace Speaks Volumes
After being substituted for Hugo Ekitike just eight minutes after his goal, Isak shared a heart-warming moment with under-pressure manager Arne Slot on the touchline.
The Dutch coach embraced his striker with both a hug and a handshake, the gesture highlighting the significance of the breakthrough for both player and club during a challenging period that had seen Liverpool suffer three consecutive defeats before this match.
Speaking after the game, Slot praised his striker, saying: "He's a top striker. This finish was very good. I kept him in just long enough for him to get a goal for the team and himself."
Vital Three Points for Reds
Liverpool secured the victory when Cody Gakpo doubled their advantage in stoppage time, ensuring the Reds returned to Merseyside with all three points.
The win moves Liverpool back into the Premier League's top half with 21 points from 13 matches, providing crucial breathing space for Slot and his squad after their recent struggles.
Reflecting on the performance, Slot emphasised the importance of the clean sheet: "A win was what we mainly needed, and we got a clean sheet as well which is always helpful. Not giving anything away to the other team as a gift as we have done far too many times this season."
For Isak, the goal represented more than just three points, with the striker admitting: "I've been waiting for it and chasing it and, sometimes, it takes longer than you expect but happy to score a goal and help towards the win today. It's never easy, as a striker you need momentum. Sometimes you go through these patches but, hopefully, this will be helpful towards building good form."
