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Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has shared with GOAL that he is “a little bit worried” about Alexander Isak, the £125 million ($167m) forward who is under mounting pressure to deliver in his second season at Anfield. Despite being the most expensive player in British football history, Fowler cautioned that Isak’s record transfer fee will hold no value if he fails to produce meaningful returns.

How many goals has Isak scored for Liverpool?

Isak made the switch from Newcastle United to Liverpool in the summer of 2025 after tallying 62 goals in 109 appearances for the Magpies. He scored more than 20 goals in consecutive Premier League seasons, building a reputation as one of the most complete forwards in world football.

That track record caught the attention of Liverpool’s management, who invested heavily to bring him to Anfield. However, the Swedish striker began his Liverpool journey while still chasing full fitness, which hindered his early progress.

Isak struggled to showcase his best form during a testing debut season with the Reds, taking until November to open his Premier League goal account. His first top-flight goal at Anfield arrived as late as April, leaving him with only four goals for the entire 2025–26 campaign.

A broken leg that sidelined him for nearly four months further disrupted his rhythm. Even so, Isak knows he must start repaying Liverpool’s faith and substantial financial commitment in the upcoming season.

Why Robbie Fowler is concerned about Isak

When asked whether Isak can rediscover his top form next season, Fowler, speaking exclusively to GOAL in association with BetMGM, admitted: “I’ll be honest with you, I’m a little bit worried about this actually, because he hasn’t been fit this year.”

He elaborated: “He came to Liverpool and wasn’t fit, for reasons we don’t fully know. He eventually got back into the team and looked a bit sharper, but then he broke his leg and was out again. Towards the end of the season, he played a few matches but clearly wasn’t fully fit — understandably so, after such a serious injury.”

“Now the Sweden squad for the World Cup has been announced and he’s in it. From a Liverpool perspective, that worries me because he’ll be playing in the World Cup instead of having a proper pre-season to build up fitness. Once the tournament ends, he’ll have very little recovery time before the new season starts. That’s why I fear he won’t be as fit as we’d like him to be as Liverpool fans.”

Fowler added: “I genuinely hope I’m wrong, but it concerns me that he won’t get the full pre-season he needs, which could affect his ability to start strongly next season.”

Does £125m Isak have to deliver in his second season?

Isak must make an immediate impact in the 2026–27 campaign to convince both the Anfield supporters and new manager Andoni Iraola that he is the right man to lead Liverpool’s attack. He has been handed the iconic No.9 shirt, once worn by greats like Fowler himself, and expectations are immense.

Given his enormous transfer fee, Isak will likely receive more patience than most players in his position. However, Liverpool’s ambitions mean they cannot afford to wait indefinitely for his form to return.

When asked whether two seasons is typically the limit for big-money signings before doubts emerge, Fowler agreed: “Absolutely. That’s true for managers too. Look at Arne Slot — he was moved on just 12 months after winning the Premier League title. If results don’t follow, questions are asked, and we all know how that story ends.”

Isak’s contract: Can the Swedish striker fulfil his Anfield deal?

Isak is currently tied to Liverpool on a six-year deal running until 2031. To have any chance of honouring that contract, he will need to return to double figures in goals during his second season — at the very least.

If he can reach that target, Liverpool — who finished fifth this season — could re-establish themselves as contenders for both domestic and European titles. But if he falls short again, the club may be forced to look elsewhere for attacking inspiration.