Michael Owen Warns Alexander Isak Is “Running Out of Excuses” After Another Frustrating Liverpool Display

Alexander Isak was given another chance to show why Liverpool spent a club-record £125million on him, but his latest performance has only intensified the pressure surrounding the Swedish striker.

Returning to St James’ Park for the first time since leaving Newcastle, Isak led the Liverpool attack in their draw with the Magpies. Yet once again, he struggled to make the kind of impact that supporters have been waiting for.

And former Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes the patience surrounding Isak is beginning to run thin.

Owen: Liverpool Need to See the “Real Isak”

Owen understands better than most how difficult it can be for a striker to regain his best form after suffering injuries. Isak endured an injury-disrupted first season at Anfield, limiting his appearances and contributing to a return of just four goals.

However, the circumstances have now changed.

The 2026-27 season has begun, Isak has had a full pre-season, and Liverpool need their £125million forward to start delivering. Owen believes the period of allowing him extra time is coming to an end.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Owen said:

“I had plenty of injuries in my career so I know how hard it is to get back and you do need a bit of time. We’ve given him time, everyone has given him time and understood that. But he’s finished the season, then he’s gone to the World Cup and now he’s had a pre-season and you just think OK, now we’re starting to run out of excuses.”

The former England striker stressed that Liverpool are not questioning Isak’s ability. Instead, they are waiting to see the player who once established himself as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards at Newcastle.

“We need to see the real Isak and we know how good he is. Wow, we saw him for Newcastle and he’s absolute class. We haven’t seen it for Liverpool just yet and questions will come now.”

Liverpool Need Isak More Than Ever

The timing makes Isak’s lack of form particularly concerning for Liverpool.

The club have lost Mohamed Salah, while Hugo Ekitike is unavailable, leaving Arne Slot with fewer options in the attacking department. That places even greater responsibility on Isak to become the focal point Liverpool expected when they broke their transfer record to sign him.

Owen believes the need for the striker to find his best form is now undeniable.

“Liverpool absolutely need him, they’ve lost Salah, Ekitike is out, there’s not that many options in attacking areas. They absolutely need him in top form and yesterday he was far from it, I thought he was a yard off and that’s worrying.”

Against Newcastle, Isak was regularly booed by the home supporters during his return to St James’ Park. His clearest opportunity arrived in the second half, but he fired over from the edge of the penalty area.

Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai were the Liverpool players who found the net, while Isak again struggled to impose himself on the game.

The Newcastle Form Liverpool Are Still Waiting For

The frustration is heightened by what Isak accomplished during his three seasons at Newcastle.

The Swedish forward scored 62 goals in three years on Tyneside, establishing himself as one of the division’s standout strikers and helping convince Liverpool to invest £125million in his signature.

That level of production, however, has yet to be replicated in a Liverpool shirt.

Meanwhile, Hugo Ekitike — whose transfer fee was around half of Isak’s — scored 17 goals in his debut season, further increasing the scrutiny on Liverpool’s record signing.

Isak still has the opportunity to change the narrative, but Owen’s assessment highlights the growing expectation around him. Liverpool know exactly what the striker is capable of. Now, after an injury-hit first campaign and a full pre-season behind him, they are waiting to see that quality consistently on the pitch.