Isak Fit and Firing: Key to Iraola's Liverpool Revival

Alexander Isak has now scored in three consecutive Premier League games – and Liverpool need him to keep firing

Liverpool's £125m striker Alexander Isak scored in a third straight Premier League game in the 2-0 win over Brighton, his best run since January 2025. The Swede now has six league goals for the season, one behind Erling Haaland, as head coach Andoni Iraola prepares his side for Arsenal's visit on Super Sunday.

Match: Liverpool vs Arsenal, Premier League
Date and time: Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm (coverage from 3.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League)
Venue: Anfield
Headline stat: Isak has scored in three straight league games for the first time since January 2025
At stake: Liverpool aim to continue their revival under Iraola against the champions

What was said

"He's a massive player for us. Probably my demands will not be about the goals, I know that [if] he's fit, he's in good shape, he's going to produce the numbers."
— Andoni Iraola, speaking to Sky Sports

"My fights with him are more about other stuff, about how to help the team in all the situations."
— Andoni Iraola on Isak's overall contribution

"I think Alex feels the trust of everyone. Everyone trusts if he moves into good positions he will score goals."
— Andoni Iraola in midweek

"He is massively important because Liverpool are not a great goalscoring team right now. Besides him, who else is going to score the goals? Victor Munoz has got a couple, but Isak has made a great start, in complete contrast to last season, when he was injured."
— Jamie Carragher

"We've still not probably seen the full version of Isak that we saw at Newcastle, but I think that will come with more games, repetition of training sessions with Iraola and maybe we'll see the best of him in the second half of the season."
— Jamie Carragher

"But he's getting goals and he needs to get goals because there's aren't too many players around him getting goals for Liverpool."
— Jamie Carragher

Iraola's public comments stress that Isak's value is not solely about goals – he wants the striker to contribute to the team's pressing and overall play. The fact that Isak is already delivering goals while still adapting to those demands bodes well for the second half of the season. Carragher's assessment underlines the reliance on Isak, with only Victor Munoz among his team-mates having more than one top-flight goal this season.

Injury and availability

Isak missed the 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City with a thigh problem picked up on international duty with Sweden. He has a history of injuries, having missed four games with abductor pain in October and November last season, then 106 days after fracturing his left leg at Tottenham before Christmas. Upon his return in May, he was out for almost three weeks with further abductor issues and muscle strains. Fellow striker Hugo Ekitike is still recovering from a long-term Achilles injury and is not expected back until next year. As a result, Iraola often replaces Isak with Lewis Koumas towards the end of matches to manage his minutes.

The numbers

Goals this season: 6 in 7 Premier League appearances
Scoring streak: 3 consecutive league games – first time since January 2025
Shots per game: 3.15 (up from 2.18 last season)
xG per 90: 0.67 (up from 0.33)
Goals per 90: 0.95 (second only to Haaland)
Touches per game: 24.6 (only Haaland has fewer among top-flight strikers, with 24.1)
League goals last season: 3
Fee: £125m British record

Why Isak is central to Iraola's Liverpool revival

Alexander Isak is not just scoring goals; he is doing so while adapting to Andoni Iraola's demanding pressing style. The striker's link-up with Bradley Barcola – another £100m-plus recruit – was evident for the goal against Brighton, with Barcola breaking clear before finding Isak in the six-yard box. That combination is exactly what Liverpool's hierarchy envisioned when they signed the pair.

Statistically, Isak is taking more shots, generating higher expected goals, and scoring at a rate bettered only by Erling Haaland. His movement in the box and clinical finishing are why Liverpool paid a British record fee. However, his injury record means Iraola must manage his minutes carefully, especially with Hugo Ekitike out until next year.

The visit of Arsenal, the club that showed interest in Isak in January 2025, presents another chance for the Swede to demonstrate why he is integral to Liverpool's revival. With the team gradually rediscovering their form under Iraola, Isak's fitness and finishing will be crucial if they are to overcome the champions.

Talking points

Is Isak now undroppable for Liverpool? With six goals in seven games, his importance is undeniable, but injury risks mean Iraola must rotate carefully.
Carragher says we haven't seen the best of Isak yet – but can Liverpool afford to wait for him to reach top form while others struggle for goals?
Should Liverpool have spread their finances like Arsenal instead of investing heavily in two marquee signings? The pressure on Isak and Barcola is immense.
With Ekitike out, do Liverpool need another striker in January to avoid overworking Isak? The depth up front looks thin.

What happens next

Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm, with coverage from 3.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League. A win would further boost their revival and keep pressure on the top teams. For Isak, it is another opportunity to prove his fitness and scoring form against one of the league's best defences.

Frequently asked questions

Will Alexander Isak start for Liverpool against Arsenal?

Isak is fit and has scored in three consecutive league games, so he is expected to lead the line. However, Iraola may manage his minutes given his injury history.