Alexander Isak’s £130m Liverpool Move: From Dream Signing to Early Nightmare
It was supposed to be Liverpool’s grand statement of intent — a record-breaking £130 million transfer that would usher in a new era at Anfield. Alexander Isak, the elegant Swedish striker who dazzled at St James’ Park for two seasons, was handpicked to lead Arne Slot’s attacking revolution.
But just months into his Liverpool career, that vision already feels in jeopardy. The deal once hailed as bold and brilliant is now being described within football circles as a costly mistake.
According to The Athletic’s recent agent survey, Isak’s transfer has been branded the “worst signing of the summer” — not simply for its price tag, but for how the move unfolded. One agent even called it “a betrayal of Liverpool’s values”, suggesting it went against the club’s historic culture of humility and unity.
A Messy Departure, a Record Deal
Isak’s path to Anfield was far from smooth. After Newcastle United failed to secure Champions League football, the 26-year-old reportedly refused to train and skipped preseason fixtures in an effort to force an exit. The standoff grew tense, with sources inside the club describing the atmosphere as “toxic.”
Liverpool’s hierarchy eventually stepped in, submitting a late offer of £130 million — a figure Newcastle couldn’t refuse and one that smashed the British transfer record.
On paper, it looked like a masterstroke: a proven Premier League striker, entering his prime, ready to link up with Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, and Dominik Szoboszlai. But the reality has been far less convincing.
A Striker Out of Sync
Isak’s first few months in red have been frustrating. Having missed much of preseason amid the transfer saga, he has struggled for sharpness and rhythm. In six appearances, he has managed just one goal — a Carabao Cup strike against Southampton — while remaining goalless in both the Premier League and Champions League.
It’s a stark contrast to his Newcastle form. During his two seasons on Tyneside, Isak became a hero, scoring 62 goals in 109 appearances and dazzling fans with his calm finishing and intelligent movement. Back-to-back seasons of 27 and 25 goals had cemented his reputation as one of the division’s most clinical finishers.
Now, those same fans see him differently — as the man who walked away.
A Question of Values
In The Athletic’s survey, several agents were critical of both the fee and the manner of the move. One unnamed agent claimed, “What Isak did goes against what Liverpool have always stood for — the collective before the individual.”
That sentiment has hit home with parts of the Anfield fanbase. Some supporters question whether Isak’s playing style suits Slot’s pressing demands, while others worry that the deal signals a shift in the club’s identity — away from the togetherness that defined the Jürgen Klopp era.
Former professionals have been equally sceptical, describing the transfer as “reckless” and “reactive.” Even within football’s agent community, it is cited as a cautionary tale about how hype can outweigh strategy.
A Wider Pattern of Misfires
Isak’s transfer isn’t the only one under scrutiny this season. Manchester United’s £85m move for Benjamin Šeško and Manchester City’s signing of James Trafford have also faced criticism, with some insiders ranking them among the poorest value-for-money deals of the window.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s own replacement move — a £55m deadline-day swoop for Yoane Wissa — has backfired spectacularly. Wissa suffered a knee injury on international duty before playing a single minute, and could now miss several more months due to AFCON commitments.
Different Clubs, Similar Problems
For Eddie Howe, losing Isak and then Wissa has left his attack threadbare. Newcastle’s once-lethal frontline looks disjointed, with Callum Wilson struggling for fitness and Harvey Barnes still finding form.
At Liverpool, the issue is more psychological. Slot’s tactical blueprint — built around control, intensity, and cohesion — depends on a focal point capable of pressing and linking play. So far, Isak has looked off the pace, forcing Salah and Díaz to drop deeper and stretching the team’s shape.
Reports suggest the Swede is already feeling the strain. Sources close to the player claim he feels “isolated” and “frustrated” by his slow start. Slot has publicly defended him, saying:
“Alexander is a top player. He had a difficult summer, but he’s working hard every day. Once he finds rhythm, the goals will come.”
But patience is wearing thin among supporters who expected instant impact from a £130m forward — a sum that eclipses what Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk, Darwin Núñez, or even Moisés Caicedo.
A Turning Point Approaches
The fallout has strained relations between Liverpool and Newcastle, two clubs that once shared mutual respect. On social media, fans on both sides continue to trade jabs — Liverpool supporters defending their new No.9, Newcastle fans accusing him of betrayal.
For Isak, the coming months are crucial. His performances will determine whether he is remembered as a record-breaking triumph or an expensive mistake. For Arne Slot, his success may define whether this new Liverpool era takes flight or falters before it begins.
Football, as always, moves fast. Just months ago, Alexander Isak was Newcastle’s symbol of progress — a striker admired across Europe. Today, he’s fighting to prove he belongs in Liverpool red.
Whether he sinks or soars will decide not only his own legacy, but the story of Liverpool’s boldest gamble yet.