Alexander Isak scored his first home Premier League goal for Liverpool as the Reds beat Crystal Palace 3-1 at Anfield, ending a 236-day wait for a landmark moment in his Anfield career. The £125m striker’s looping shot over Dean Henderson put Liverpool ahead and sparked jubilant scenes with his team-mates and The Kop, marking a breakthrough in a season plagued by injury and underperformance.
Turning point for Isak?
Manager Arne Slot acknowledged the significance of the moment, reflecting on the long road back for the Swedish international. “Did anyone ever think we would say this, eight or nine months ago, that at the end of April, Alexander Isak scored his first Liverpool league goal at Anfield?” Slot said. “That sums up this season a lot - that an unbelievable striker has had such a long time with injuries.”
Isak’s goal was his first of 2026 and came in the first home league match Liverpool have won when he started. Prior to this, his debut campaign at Anfield had been derailed by a fractured fibula suffered in December and ongoing struggles for form and fitness. He has now played 1,009 minutes for the club, far fewer than the 3,319 he clocked for Newcastle United last season.
High hopes and growing pressure
From record signing to redemption arc
After scoring 27 goals for Newcastle in 2025, Isak made a high-profile move to Liverpool, declaring his ambition to “create history” and win trophies. But the transition has been fraught, with questions raised over his integration into Liverpool’s system and competition for places, particularly with Hugo Ekitike sidelined for the remainder of the year.
Despite limited impact so far, former Arsenal defender and BBC pundit Martin Keown believes Isak can still deliver. “It’s been a long time coming for someone who cost a British record transfer fee,” Keown said. “But that feeling of celebrating with the home fans is something for him to build on. If Liverpool can get him fully fit and back to the form he showed at Newcastle, then clearly he’s an outstanding player.”
What’s next for Isak and Liverpool?
With Mohamed Salah set to depart in the summer and Ekitique out long-term, Liverpool will need Isak to find consistent form. The striker, who has yet to complete a full 90 minutes in a Liverpool shirt, is expected to represent Sweden at the upcoming World Cup. Some fans, like Swedish supporter Matthias Astrom, believe the tournament could offer a fresh start. “He needs confidence and he has to score. That’s why Liverpool bought him – to score goals. Maybe he can start fresh next season.”