Liverpool’s record signing Alexander Isak struggled again during the win against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Isak made his first Premier League start since December 2025 when he suffered a fibula injury while scoring in the 2-1 win against Spurs.
The Swede returned to lead the line against Paris Saint-Germain in mid-week as Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League and has struggled to get involved since returning to the fold.
Isak again was anonymous against Liverpool’s rivals, having just nine touches of the ball and failing to impose himself against the Everton defenders before being replaced by Rio Ngumoha.
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Arne Slot has been unable to use star signings Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz alongside the former Newcastle man for the vast majority of the season but Liverpool fans watching the clash against Everton believe there is another man who is a problem when playing with Isak.
Liverpool supporters believe the combination of Cody Gakpo on the left and Isak through the middle isn’t working at all with Isak showing visible signs of frustration at various points throughout the game.
One fan said: “Isak must HATE playing with Gakpo. He just doesn’t like passing to him.”
Another added: “With Gakpo in the team, you will never get anything out of Isak.”
A third said: “I can’t criticise Isak because when both of your wingers only cut in and shoot, what can you do. Gakpo hasn’t played a single pass to him.”
A fourth concluded: “Gakpo is the reason Isak isn’t scoring. No service whatsoever. Either loses the ball in the final third or shoots randomly.”
Even before the game, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher questioned Slot’s decision to start Isak even despite Ekitike being ruled out for the remainder of the season through injury.
Carragher said: “I wasn't sure he would play. He found it really tough in that first 45 minutes against PSG. Gakpo came on and played really well at center forward.
“Coming [to the stadium] today I wondered whether he (Slot) would actually play a centre forward. Or maybe play Szoboszlai and Wirtz as two No.10s instead.
“"If you think of Branthwaite and Tarkowski, they'll want that physical battle, and I'm not sure Isak is ready for that physical battle.
"He didn't look like it against PSG. It wouldn't have been the team I'd have picked but that's why I'm stood here and he's the Liverpool manager."
Liverpool face Crystal Palace at Anfield next looking to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive.
Topics: Liverpool, Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Premier League, Football, Arne Slot, Fan Reactions
Marcus Banks