JAMIE CARRAGHER OPENLY QUESTIONS ALEXANDER ISAK’S LONG-TERM FUTURE AT THE ANFIELD STADIUM
After a record £125M move, Alexander Isak’s debut season has been tough. We analyse Jamie Carragher’s harsh verdict on the Liverpool star.
Jamie Carragher isn’t convinced Alexander Isak will ever really shine at Anfield. After arriving last summer in a record-breaking £125 million deal from Newcastle, Isak’s first season has been rough. He managed to grab his fourth goal for Liverpool during their 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday; it was only his third start since coming back from a broken leg he picked up against Tottenham in December.
But, honestly, Carragher doesn’t see the Swedish striker justifying that massive price anytime soon. He’s worried because, from what he’s seen, players who flop in their debut season at Liverpool rarely turn things around afterwards.
“The big-money signings just haven’t worked out,” Carragher told the ECHO. “Sure, maybe we’ll see something change in the future, as judging players solely based on their first year isn’t always fair. But from my experience as a Liverpool player, I struggle to recall anyone anonymous in their first season and then suddenly turning into a superstar. Isak hasn’t really got going. He got injured, yeah, but even before that, he just didn’t look up to it.”
Isak’s situation is a little complicated, though. Slot’s side was in transition after their Premier League title win, and suddenly they had £446 million worth of new players to shuffle into the squad – a major headache for any manager. Then there’s Isak’s injury late in 2026, which pretty much torpedoed his season, leaving Liverpool even more vulnerable.
Carragher feels Liverpool needs to act this summer if they want to get back in the title race. “Liverpool definitely needs to replace Salah,” he said. “For me, three new players have to walk straight into the starting lineup. You can’t overhaul the squad with five new guys at once. They bought plenty last summer, so don’t expect a flood of signings again.”
Let’s face it, the declines of Salah and Van Dijk, plus Alisson’s constant injuries, have really hurt Liverpool. Those three have been pillars for the team, so naturally, things go south when they’re off or missing.
Still, fans have a right to expect more after spending £446 million. Isak may receive leniency this season, but if performance doesn’t improve next year, Liverpool could potentially be remembered as the owners of the worst flop signing in Premier League history.
WHAT IS THE "AURA" MIKEL ARTETA SEES IN BUKAYO SAKA’S RECENT PERFORMANCES?
"He shifts momentum." Read Mikel Arteta’s full analysis of Bukayo Saka’s importance ahead of the crucial West Ham showdown.
Mikel Arteta sees something special in Bukayo Saka’s presence on the pitch, an “aura” that he believes could drive Arsenal toward a Premier League title, just three games away from ending a 22-year wait.
During Saka’s recent absence with an Achilles injury, Arsenal managed only a single win in five matches. His return, however, seemed to breathe new life into the squad. Saka set up Viktor Gyokeres for the opener before scoring himself in a solid 3-0 victory over Fulham last weekend.
More crucially, Saka netted the decisive goal that helped Arsenal secure a 2-1 aggregate win over Atlético Madrid, booking their first Champions League final appearance since 2006.
Since making his debut for the Gunners seven years ago, the England international now carries the hopes of pushing Arsenal for vital points, starting with a key clash against relegation-threatened West Ham at the London Stadium, followed by matches against Burnley at home and Crystal Palace away on the season’s final day.
When asked about Saka’s importance, Arteta highlighted the growing role he plays not just within the team but also in how opponents see him. There’s a clear presence, a certain quality that sets him apart. According to Arteta, Saka can shift a game’s momentum at any time, and instilling that kind of respect or even fear in the opposition is invaluable.
Arteta also touched on managing Saka’s comeback after injury, emphasising the idea of channelling fresh energy and motivation into his performance rather than rushing him back too soon. He described it as a privilege to have a player like Saka, someone who embodies core values and principles, both on and off the pitch. Beyond the football, there’s a human connection that makes working with him rewarding. What Saka showed, especially in the recent Champions League semifinal, was nothing short of remarkable.
Alongside Saka, Declan Rice has also become a pivotal figure since his £100 million move from West Ham last year. Now 27, Rice will make his 59th appearance of the season when Arsenal faces his former club on Sunday. His impact has been significant, earning him runner-up in the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award behind Bruno Fernandes.
Arteta praised Rice as a key leader and a major force for the team, underlining the powerful role he plays as Arsenal chase success this season.
WHY DID JURRIEN TIMBER’S "SIMPLE" INJURY TURN INTO A SEASON-ENDING MEDICAL MYSTERY?
After reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal face a fitness race for key stars ahead of their clash with West Ham.
Mikel Arteta has admitted that both Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber are running out of time to get fit before the season ends – a tough setback for Arsenal right now.
Both have been out for weeks, dealing with foot and ankle injuries. The hope was always that they’d be back for the final stretch, giving Arsenal a boost when it matters most. This week, Merino at least made it back onto the training pitch, but Arteta has confirmed neither he nor Timber will be involved in Sunday’s big match against West Ham.
Arteta said he has no new injury problems elsewhere, but for Merino or Timber to play before the end of the season, their recoveries would have to be almost perfect. Timber’s situation in particular has turned out to be more complicated than they first thought.
“That’s probably been the hardest part for everyone. For me, for the player,” Arteta said. “We really didn’t think it would take this long, and he’s still not ready.”
Meanwhile, things are going well for Arsenal on the pitch. They’ve pulled five points clear at the top of the Premier League, and they just beat Atletico Madrid, booking a spot in their first Champions League final in two decades.
There’s still a twist, though. Manchester City play Brentford first this weekend, and they still have a game in hand. Even so, if Arsenal win their last three matches, the title is theirs.
Next up is West Ham, who are fighting to avoid relegation and could easily trip Arsenal up. Arteta knows his team can’t afford any slip-ups. “After the Atletico win, I was completely caught up in the emotion. You could feel what it meant to everyone fans and the staff. But straight after, my focus went to West Ham,” he said.
“We talked as a team about how we’ve earned the chance to be in the final, and we have time to get ready, but right now, all our focus and all the details need to go into West Ham.”
