Liverpool in 2025/26 are an entirely different proposition to the high-octane football, with fast starts that raised the crowd and created a frenetic atmosphere en route to last season's Premier League triumph. Those things are no longer a trademark of the Reds in their current guise. In fact, Arne Slot's side have failed to score in the first half of 12 of their 19 Premier League games so far this season. In 15 games at Anfield, in all competitions, there's been seven blanks at half-time.
Alexander Isak has had a difficult start to his Liverpool career, following his British record 125m move from Newcastle in the summer. He's scored just two goals in 12 appearances across all competitions, and he only broke his Premier League duck in last weekend's victory over West Ham. Isak has failed to live up to the performances he produced at Newcastle.