Alexander Isak's first Premier League goal for Liverpool sparked celebrations and relief, not just for the player himself, but also for manager Arne Slot and the entire team. The £125 million summer signing from Newcastle United found the net in the 60th minute against West Ham, contributing to a much-needed 2-0 victory at the London Stadium. Cody Gakpo sealed the win with a goal in stoppage time.
Isak's journey to his first Premier League goal for Liverpool hasn't been smooth. Since his high-profile transfer in September, the Swedish forward had only managed to score once in the League Cup against Southampton. He has faced challenges including injuries and a lack of full match fitness due to the protracted transfer negotiations, which caused him to miss the pre-season.
Slot acknowledged the significance of Isak's goal, emphasizing its importance for both the player and the team. "It's very important for us as a team that we went 1-0 up, but I think it was also important for him because I think it was his third or fourth chance of this game,” Slot said. He also noted Isak's limited playing time left in the game, making the goal even more crucial. Slot lauded Isak as a "top striker".
The Liverpool manager had made a bold decision by leaving Mohamed Salah out of the starting lineup, marking the first time since April 2024 that the Egyptian star had been omitted from the starting XI in a Premier League match. Slot defended his decision, highlighting Salah's "unbelievable career" at the club and pointing to the packed schedule of four games in ten days with limited player availability. He said that he has to decide once in a while to make a certain line-up and you try to pick the best line-up for every single game.
Isak himself expressed his relief and determination to build on this achievement. "I'm aware that it has been a long time coming and I have been trying to get back to my best form. I'm still on the way but I am happy to get that goal," Isak told Sky Sports after the match. He further added, "The best feeling today is that we win the game and that is the best way to get a good spirit in the group but of course I am a striker so scoring goals will always help me". Isak emphasized the importance of humility and continued hard work to maintain momentum.
The win against West Ham was vital for Liverpool, halting a concerning run of form that had seen them lose nine of their previous twelve games. Slot acknowledged the feeling of relief within the team, stating, "There's definitely a feeling of relief because if you have lost so many times, then winning is important". He highlighted the team's strong performance, limiting West Ham's chances and creating opportunities themselves. Slot also said, "We played the game I wanted us to play. What I saw meant a lot to our players and our fans".
The victory lifted Liverpool to eighth place in the league standings. The result and Isak's goal offer a sign of optimism for Liverpool as they navigate a challenging season.
