Liverpool's Swedish striker #09 Alexander Isak (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
When Liverpool signed Alexander Isak as the Premier League’s most expensive player in August, few would have doubted he’d score against Crystal Palace at Anfield near season’s end.
What has come as a surprise to almost everyone is that the Swedish striker’s April goal against the South Londoners is his first league goal of the season and, rather than challenging for the title, it serves only to aid the Reds in their bid to confirm fifth place in the table.
This stemmed from a disastrous run of injuries, essentially making Isak’s first campaign at Liverpool a write-off. Limited game time, not individual failings, explains his lack of impact.
After the match, Isak admitted he still had some way to go before returning to top form, even after his first goal.
“I’ve been battling getting back to full fitness and obviously scoring a goal is probably the best way to finding your form again. Obviously, I’m really happy,” he said.
His captain, Virgil Van Dijk, echoed the sentiment, both praising the Swedish forward and demanding more from him.
“It is important for Alex to get goals as a striker and it was a great goal,” the defender added.
“In terms of what I’ve seen of him, everyone knows and sees and experiences as teammates how outstanding he is.
“It is about getting games, confidence but obviously scoring goals as a striker – that’s the main trigger for him. I’m not worried at all about him whatsoever.
“We want more than goals from him and that’s what he can bring and he just has to keep going and keep working, keep staying fit and keep staying important for the football club because I think he will and he already is.”
He, too, acknowledged that this was not quite what Liverpool had in mind when it parted with $170 million in the summer.
“It is quite an understatement to say he’s had a tough year,” he said. “The injuries he had and the timing of it has been bad.
“But now he is fit and we all know what he can bring and he shows it in training and in games as well.”
Fellow new signing Florian Wirtz was also on the scoresheet against Palace, an occurrence that offered some glimpse of what Liverpool envisioned when they signed the two players in the summer.
“These two particular players have been brought to the club to make an impact and it’s not been an easy season for anyone, including those two, but you see the quality they have.”
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JUNE 20: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Florian Wirtz is unveiled as a Liverpool player after his signing at AXA Training Centre on June 20, 2025 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Isak and Wirtz are easy scapegoats for those blaming Liverpool’s disappointing season.
But Liverpool’s underlying problems this season do not rest on Isak’s absence or Wirtz’s impact. The real issues that have derailed the campaign lie elsewhere.
Hugo Ekitike, who led the line instead of the Swedish striker, was among the Reds’ best.