'Million dollar concrete block' blocks Isak road

Isak has not yet settled in at Liverpool.

Liverpool entered the 2025/26 season with huge expectations after spending more than 200 million euros on two big deals: Alexander Isak (120 million euros from Newcastle) and Hugo Ekitike (95 million euros from Eintracht Frankfurt). But as the Champions League lights are about to shine in Istanbul, the most pressing issue for coach Arne Slot is not with his opponent Galatasaray, but with the personnel problem in attack: reconciling the two blockbuster contracts.

Isak - the "million dollar wall" has not yet warmed up

The 1-2 loss to Crystal Palace last weekend not only cost Liverpool 3 points but also exposed Isak’s struggles. Playing in his first Premier League start, the Swedish striker was almost “out of sync” with the pressing system and intensity that Slot required.

The statistics speak for themselves. Isak has played just 153 minutes of his 810-minute season, scoring just one goal in the League Cup - far short of expectations for the most expensive signing in English football history.

Slot had to publicly reassure the public: “He needs more time to get used to the intensity. It would be unwise to force Isak to play the full 90 minutes at this time.” In fact, with his tall physique and style that favors smart movement rather than explosive speed, Isak needs many weeks to restore his biological rhythm in a new environment, after a stressful summer transfer.

In contrast to Isak, Hugo Ekitike was born to play in Slot's system.

In contrast to Isak, Hugo Ekitike seems to have been born to play in Slot's system. After 8 matches, the French striker has scored 5 goals, assisted 1, averaging 88 minutes/goal - impressive statistics for any striker in the starting stage. At 23 years old, Ekitike has not only proven his scoring instinct but also shown his flexibility, being able to coordinate well with Salah, Gakpo or Wirtz in the role of false 9.

Up to now, Isak has only had 3 appearances with 153 minutes of play, scored 1 goal and has no assists. His efficiency is only 153 minutes per goal - a very modest number compared to the record amount that Liverpool spent.

Meanwhile, Ekitike has played 8 matches, a total of 440 minutes, scoring 5 goals and having 1 assist. On average, every 88 minutes, the French striker scores once - a testament to the clear difference in form between the two blockbusters.

Against Palace, Ekitike was absent due to suspension, leaving a void that Isak has yet to fill. And that detail raises the big question: when Isak regains his fitness and rhythm, who will Slot choose to play as a center forward?

Slots and difficult problems

For Liverpool, the luxury of personnel can sometimes become a burden. They need both: Isak with his ability to create walls and occupy space in the penalty area, and Ekitike with his speed and explosiveness. But top-level football does not allow for prolonged experimentation. A wrong choice could cost Liverpool a Champions League match, where every point counts.

Isak needs to prove his worth.

For now, Slot is likely to put his faith in Ekitike in their trip to Galatasaray’s RAMS Park. The reason is simple: form. The Frenchman is on a goal-scoring spree, while Isak has yet to escape the “personal pre-season” phase.

However, that also means Isak - the "million dollar concrete block" - is facing a huge challenge: having to prove himself different enough to not be swallowed up in the harsh cycle of Anfield.

If only looking at the internal situation, Liverpool have too many problems to solve. But their opponents, Galatasaray, are not easy to deal with. Okan Buruk's team turned RAMS Park into a "fortress" with 9 goals and only 2 conceded in recent home matches. Despite losing heavily to Frankfurt in the opening match, they still have heavyweight stars like Gündogan, Osimhen or Sane - enough to turn Istanbul into a nightmare night for any giant.

Liverpool are at a crossroads. They have to prove their Champions League credentials and solve the double blockbuster Isak-Ekitike personnel problem. On one side is the “million dollar wall” still trying to find rhythm, on the other side is the young striker who is scoring regularly.

Slot's choice at RAMS Park will not only decide the outcome of a match, but could shape the future of an entire season.

Source: https://znews.vn/khoi-be-tong-trieu-usd-chan-duong-isak-post1589553.html