- Alexander Isak made his seventh Premier League start for Liverpool against Everton
- The striker failed to impress despite the Reds winning 2-1
- John Aldridge has serious concerns about the Sweden international
Former Liverpool forward John Aldridge has demanded that Liverpool take immediate action on Alexander Isak after what he did against Everton on Sunday.
Arne Slot’s side registered a 2-1 victory over Everton in the first-ever Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium at the weekend.
Liverpool left it late impossibly late to ensure the bragging rights returned to the red half of Merseyside in a finish that defied belief and broke Blue hearts at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
For much of the afternoon, it looked as though the narrative would belong to Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian King continued his remarkable scoring record against the neighbours, ghosting into the box to fire the visitors ahead just before the half-hour mark.
It was a goal that silenced the home crowd and seemed to have Arne Slot’s side in total control.
However, a rejuvenated Everton emerged after the break, fueled by the bear-pit atmosphere. Their persistence was rewarded when Beto hauled the Blues level, pouncing on a loose ball to send the supporters into raptures and leaving the game balanced on a knife-edge.
As the clock ticked deep into a staggering period of added time, a share of the spoils felt like a formality. But this Liverpool team has a habit of finding a way when the seconds are slipping away.
In the 100th minute, the Reds earned one final corner. Amidst the chaos, Virgil van Dijk rose highest, a towering presence above a sea of blue shirts, to power a leaping header into the back of the net.
The captain’s strike sparked scenes of unadulterated pandemonium in the away end, snatching all three points in the literal final act of a pulsating contest.
It wasn’t always pretty, but for the Reds, the manner of victory matters little. They move on, fueled by the adrenaline of a derby win that will be talked about for years to come.
Isak, though, left much to be desired during his 72 minutes on the pitch.
Aldridge urges immediate action from Liverpool
In Isak’s defence, his first season at Anfield has been hindered by injuries and fitness issues.
However, the 26-year-old still has not lived up to expectations, considering he was signed from Newcastle for a British record fee of £125million.
Aldridge was far from impressed by the centre-forward’s performance in the derby, but is prepared to give him some leeway.
The Liverpool legend believes the former Newcastle United frontman is still not fully fit and has urged Slot. to arrange a behind-the-scenes friendly immediately to get him up to speed.
Writing in his latest Liverpool Echo column on Monday (20 April), Aldridge explained: “Alexander Isak started for Liverpool, but if I’m honest, he is miles off the pace. Liverpool should arrange a behind-closed-doors friendly in the week.”
Aldridge is of the view that Slot should use Isak as an option from the bench for the time being instead of starting him despite Hugo Ekitike being sidelined with an injury.
He also wants the Dutchman to get on the phone immediately to arrange a closed-doors friendly to help the striker regain match fitness.
He wrote: “He’s hardly kicked the ball. He won’t score unless he gets the service. You can’t make things out of nothing.
“But in terms of his fitness, I think at the moment he is better coming on in games rather than starting them in the Premier League while he is not match-fit.
“The manager should get on the phone today and organise 90 minutes for him to try and get to the required level.
Isak attempted just one shot v Everton
Since returning from injury against Paris Saint-Germain in quarter-finals earlier this month, Isak had struggled to influence Liverpool’s game in any manner.
One of the main reasons for this is the lack of service to him. It is no secret that the Reds have struggled to impress in attack this season.
This is highlighted by the fact that the former Real Sociedad talisman registered just nine touches against the Toffees on Sunday.
However, when he did see the ball, he was guilty of being sloppy, giving up possession five times and attempting one unsuccessful dribble.
It is also worth noting that Isak attempted only one shot at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and although it was on target, the effort was no trouble for Jordan Pickford.
Therefore, Liverpool should give thought to Aldridge’s suggestion, although it may be hard to squeeze in a friendly into their already busy end-of-season schedule.
ReadLiverpoolfc Verdict
The 100th-minute heroics of Virgil van Dijk may have temporarily papered over the cracks, but the spotlight remains firmly fixed on the man who was supposed to be the final piece of the puzzle.
When Liverpool sanctioned a British record £125 million fee to bring Isak to Anfield, the expectation was a striker who could turn half-chances into goals. Instead, the Swedish international finds himself a passenger in a system that is currently struggling to find him.
John Aldridge’s assessment while blunt is a reflection of a growing anxiety within the fan base. A tally of just nine touches in a Merseyside derby is a damning statistic for any forward, let alone a nine-figure marquee signing.
Whether the blame lies with Isak’s lingering fitness issues or a midfield that has failed to provide the necessary service, the reality is that the Reds cannot afford to carry a “miles off the pace” striker and as the clock ticks down on the campaign, the time for getting up to speed is rapidly running out.
