Liverpool Legend Backs Alexander Isak to Flourish Under Arne Slot

Alexander Isak’s first few months at Liverpool have not gone as smoothly as many expected when the club secured his £125 million transfer from Newcastle United. Yet amid the noise surrounding his early struggles, one of Liverpool’s most iconic figures, Kenny Dalglish, has urged patience and offered a calm reminder of what true faith in a player looks like.

Slow Start for a Star Signing

Since joining Liverpool in the summer, the Swedish forward has endured a challenging start marked by fitness setbacks and disrupted momentum. His latest setback came during Liverpool’s emphatic 5–1 Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, when he was forced off with a groin problem before half-time.

For a player who dazzled at Newcastle United with his pace, composure and movement, this was far from the seamless transition many anticipated. Rival fans and some sections of the media have already labelled his move a misstep, pointing to the fee and his lack of immediate impact. However, anyone who has watched Liverpool closely under Arne Slot knows this team has adapted rapidly since his arrival. Isak’s role within it will only grow stronger once he finds rhythm and fitness.

Dalglish’s Enduring Belief

Speaking to Sky Sports at the launch of his new documentary Kenny Dalglish, the former Liverpool player and manager was asked whether he was concerned by Isak’s slow start. His response was classic Dalglish: direct, grounded and reassuring.

He said: “No, he will take his time. Everybody takes their time. It is better to be there and try than not be there at all. So I am sure he will come good in the end, just like the other signings it takes a bit of time to settle down, there is four or five of them.”

Dalglish added, “When I came in there was only one and it was only me so did not make any difference. The rest of them were good enough to take us on.”

It is hard to imagine anyone better placed to make that judgement. Few understand the pressures of leading Liverpool’s forward line as deeply as Dalglish, who remains the gold standard for composure and class in front of goal.

Why Liverpool Can Remain Calm

Liverpool supporters have reason to be patient. Under Arne Slot, the team has rediscovered its scoring touch across multiple fronts, with several players contributing regularly. The Premier League champions of 2024–25 are thriving through collective strength rather than dependence on one individual.

Isak’s adaptation has been made trickier by the evolving dynamics of Slot’s fluid attacking system. At times, service to him has been limited, and his movement often goes unrewarded. Once his understanding with teammates like Hugo Ekitike develops, Liverpool’s attack could become even more potent.

What Comes Next for Isak

The key for Isak now is rhythm, fitness and service. A consistent run of games, particularly alongside players who can read his intelligent off-ball runs, will allow him to demonstrate the qualities that made him one of the Premier League’s most admired forwards at Newcastle.

Kenny Dalglish’s assurance that “he will come good in the end” is more than nostalgia. It is a reminder that Liverpool, perhaps more than any other club, understands the value of patience when nurturing talent. In a side as finely tuned as Arne Slot’s Liverpool, Alexander Isak has every chance to become the striker Dalglish believes he will be.