Alexander Isak’s return to form has finally vindicated Liverpool’s record £125 million signing from Newcastle. The 27‑year‑old Swedish striker, who struggled to find his footing after a broken leg in December, has already netted six of the club’s 11 Premier League goals this season, making him the team’s most prolific scorer in the competition.
Isak’s latest strike came in a 2–0 victory over Brighton on Sunday, a match that saw Liverpool beat a side that was in fine form and dominated possession. The goal, which gave the Reds breathing space against a Brighton team that held 64 % of the ball and posted a higher expected‑goals figure than Liverpool, was a key moment in a game that many described as the club’s best league performance under new manager Andoni Ira Iraola. The win marked Iraola’s fourth league triumph at Anfield, a milestone he celebrated by noting the importance of winning the ball early in matches.
Despite a slow start to his first season and a serious injury that limited him to just 22 appearances, Isak’s current output—averaging 0.95 goals per 90 minutes—has more than doubled the club’s expectations. He has scored more than half of Liverpool’s league goals, and only Erling Haaland has outscored him this season with nine goals. “Today, the performance was really good against a really good team,” Isak said after the match, adding that the first half is where the team wants to win the ball and maintain intensity.
Iraola highlighted the importance of positioning and support for Isak, saying that the striker is “threatening, especially if we can get him in those positions and we can provide him good crosses.” He also praised teammate Bradley Barcola for winning duels and creating space, noting that the combination of Isak’s finishing and Barcola’s work rate had a decisive impact on the match.
Liverpool’s defensive solidity was again on display, with Ronald Araujo and the backline keeping a clean sheet for the fourth time in eight league games. The team’s possession was only 35.6 %, the second lowest in a home win since 2003‑04, yet they managed to control the game through aggressive pressing and quick transitions. The match also saw contributions from Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo, though Wirtz missed a chance to be credited with the opening goal after a deflection.
Looking ahead, Liverpool will face Arsenal in their next Premier League fixture. With Isak’s confidence on the rise and his goal‑scoring form improving, the Reds are optimistic that the partnership between the Swede, Barcola, and the rest of the squad will continue to deliver results. The club’s investment of £248 million in new talent is now showing signs of payoff, and the team’s patience with Isak’s development appears to be paying off.