Liverpool lost 0-3, Isak set an unfortunate record at Anfield.
Liverpool suffered a 0-3 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield and dropped to 11th place. Isak played 68 minutes with only 15 touches, one shot off target, and became the first player to lose his first four starts since 1906.
Not only did Liverpool suffer a 0-3 defeat at Anfield, but they also witnessed a haunting evening for Alexander Isak: 68 minutes on the pitch, only 15 touches, one shot off target, and an unwanted milestone: losing all four of his first league starts, for the first time since Percy Saul in 1906. The Kop dropped to 11th place; pressure mounted on Arne Slot and the summer's record signing.
Isak's gamble under Arne Slot
In the £450 million investment made this summer to bring Alexander Isak from Newcastle, Liverpool expected the new signing to be a cornerstone of their attack. Arne Slot's decision to start Isak was therefore a gamble – and it backfired in a system that was already in disarray.
In the first 20 minutes, when Liverpool needed to apply pressure, Isak only touched the ball once. He didn't sprint, didn't hold up the ball, and didn't link up with the midfield. The Swedish striker became a "ghost" surrounded by Nottingham Forest defenders, while the team failed to create enough quality passes forward.
Numbers don't lie.
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Match time | 68 minutes |
| Touch of the ball | 15 |
| The shot | 1 (missed) |
| One-on-one dispute | 100% loss |
| Loss of possession | 7 times |
A center forward who can't retain possession, finish effectively, and connect with the team is a recipe for disaster. What Isak experienced perfectly reflects Liverpool's problem: a lack of communication between the lines and a lack of a reliable target man in the final third.
A sad record after 119 years.
The defeat against Nottingham Forest pushed Isak into an unwanted chapter in history: the first Liverpool player to lose all four of his first league starts since Percy Saul (1906). 119 years later, Anfield has witnessed such a dark start to a personal career – ironically, Isak was brought in as a record-breaking signing.
When the Liverpool system crumbled
Isak was a disappointing highlight, but not the only reason. Ibrahima Konate made a mistake leading to the goal conceded. Dominik Szoboszlai was forced to play right-back. Nottingham Forest dominated the midfield, leaving gaps and a lack of support for the center forward. Isak was starved of the ball, isolated, and lacked the optimal physical condition to create opportunities on his own.
When Federico Chiesa and then Hugo Ekitike were brought on, the contrast in energy further highlighted Isak's struggles on a day when Liverpool failed to create enough support structure around the Swedish striker.
Reactions and consequences
"If I said Isak couldn't accomplish anything today, I wouldn't be exaggerating."– Phil McNulty of BBC Sport offered a concise but accurate assessment of a poor performance in every aspect for Liverpool's number 9.
The 0-3 defeat was Liverpool's sixth loss in their last seven matches – a run of results that has put Arne Slot's job under immense pressure. The Kop have dropped to 11th place and need an immediate boost to halt their decline. For Isak, the record-breaking price tag is a pressure rather than a "lucky charm": either improve immediately, or face the risk of becoming one of Anfield's most forgettable signings.
