Liverpool made headlines on transfer deadline day by securing Alexander Isak for a staggering £125 million, setting a new British transfer record. The move came after a messy fallout between Isak and Newcastle United, culminating in the striker training in isolation and accusing the club of breaking promises made to him behind closed doors.

While Liverpool fans hoped the Swede would hit the ground running at Anfield, his impact has been underwhelming so far. Isak’s departure from Newcastle was preceded by weeks of speculation and drama. He missed the club’s pre-season tour, trained with former club Real Sociedad, and later refused to play for Newcastle again.

His eventual exit came hours before the transfer window closed, but the saga appeared to take a toll on both his fitness and confidence. In three Premier League appearances for Liverpool, the 26-year-old has yet to find the back of the net, and his only goal came in a Carabao Cup tie against Southampton.

Newcastle icon Alan Shearer, speaking to Betfair, didn’t mince words when discussing Isak’s situation. “It hasn’t been the start to the season that Isak would’ve wanted,” Shearer said. “He didn’t play or train during the Newcastle fallout, and understandably he hasn’t hit the ground running at Liverpool.” The former England striker also pointed to Isak’s struggles with Sweden, where a misfiring front three has left the national team bottom of their World Cup qualifying group.

Sweden’s recent defeats to Switzerland and Kosovo have put their qualification hopes in jeopardy and cost head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson his job. Isak, expected to be a talisman for his country, has failed to deliver in front of goal. “When you look at the ability of that front three Isak, Gyokeres, Elanga it’s baffling they can’t score,” Shearer added. “The summer certainly hasn’t helped him, and it shows.”

Isak's difficulties at both club and international levels are raising concerns about whether the record fee has added pressure too soon. His performances have lacked sharpness, and critics suggest his conditioning and match fitness suffered due to his extended time away from competitive action during the transfer standoff. Liverpool manager Arne Slot now faces the challenge of helping his marquee signing regain confidence and find form.

Despite the criticism, there’s recognition that Isak is adjusting to a new system, teammates, and expectations. Liverpool’s broader squad overhaul this summer bringing in nine new signings and parting ways with ten players means the entire squad is in a transitional phase. Isak isn’t alone in struggling to find immediate rhythm, with other big names like Florian Wirtz also facing early scrutiny.

Big-money transfers often come with big expectations, but Liverpool’s £125 million move for Isak stands among the boldest in Premier League history. The fee eclipsed past club records and underlined a new era post-Jurgen Klopp, with Arne Slot tasked with maintaining Liverpool’s elite status.

Historically, such high profile deals have proven hit or miss: while Virgil van Dijk and Alisson famously transformed Liverpool after their arrivals, others have buckled under pressure. Isak’s story is still unfolding, but his legacy at Anfield may hinge on how quickly he can adapt and silence growing doubts.