Alexander Isak became the first Liverpool player in 119 years to hit a worrying milestone during Saturday’s 3–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
The Swedish forward started as the Reds suffered their sixth defeat in seven matches, leaving Liverpool in 11th place after 12 league games.
Goals from Murillo, Nicolo Savona, and Morgan Gibbs-White secured all three points for Forest at Anfield, repeating last season’s 1–0 victory over the Merseyside side.
Despite 75% possession and 20 shots, Liverpool failed to convert pressure into meaningful chances in the final third, while defensive fragility was once again exposed.
Several players struggled, including Ibrahima Konaté, who was substituted at half-time, while £125 million record signing Isak was replaced with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Alexander Isak’s Milestone Marks Troubling Start for Liverpool Forward
Since his summer move from Newcastle, Isak has managed just one goal and one assist in nine appearances, with his only strike coming in the Carabao Cup third-round win over Southampton in September.
According to Opta’s Michael Reid, Isak became the first Liverpool player since Percy Saul in 1906 to lose each of his first four top-flight league starts—a stark indicator of his struggles to make an impact at Anfield.
Statistically, his performance was equally concerning: Isak recorded just 14 touches, the fewest of any Liverpool starter, while no other outfield player had fewer than 40 touches in the 67 minutes he spent on the pitch. His first goal attempt came after 64 minutes—and it was a scruffed effort.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk addressed the wider team after the match:
“It’s a problem. Everyone in the team has to take responsibility as well. Football is a team and everyone has to take responsibility. We have to digest this and take it on the chin. We need to work harder. We have to keep going.”
Liverpool will hope Isak can find form in the upcoming Champions League clash at home against PSV on November 26, followed by a Premier League visit to West Ham on November 30.
