Isak says Liverpool move was no-regret decision after difficult start

Alexander Isak has stated that his transfer from Newcastle United to Liverpool last summer was a straightforward decision, dismissing any notion of regret despite a challenging debut season marked by injury.

The Swedish striker joined the Premier League champions on deadline day in September 2025 for a British record fee of £125m. Speaking to BBC Sport, Isak emphasized that the club’s ambition and their determined pursuit of him were decisive factors.

“Liverpool is a massive club, and everything about the club made it pretty clear,” Isak said. “The club’s ambition and the club’s will to get me in as well. It was a big part of it.”

Isak’s arrival was preceded by uncertainty at Newcastle, where he had trained with former club Real Sociedad while publicly stating that promises made to him had been broken. Upon reaching Anfield, he initially struggled to find the net before suffering a severe leg break in December that kept him sidelined until April.

Despite the hardships, the 26-year-old insisted he never questioned his choice. “No, never. I would never think like that,” he said when asked if there was a moment he regretted the move. He added that focusing on the positive aspects of being in a good environment helped him look forward rather than back.

Isak has bounced back this season, matching his total goal output from last season after just four Premier League matches. The injury layoff provided an unexpected opportunity for Isak to feature for Sweden at the World Cup, where he scored once and provided three assists before the team’s exit in the last 32 stage against France.

“With the injuries last season, the World Cup was perfect,” Isak explained. “I had that period where I could play and gain rhythm and form.”

Under new head coach Andoni Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot this summer, Isak is adapting to a high-intensity, front-foot style of play. Iraola has instructed the striker to engage in defensive duties, viewing it as an offensive advantage.

“He asks me to be part of the defending but to defend in positions where, when we win the ball, we can counter quickly,” Isak said. “He said ‘score goals’, but he wants me to defend. The way we defend – we defend to score goals so defending, in the end, is an attacking weapon.”

Liverpool have recorded the most sprints in the Premier League this season, a metric Isak believes suits his game. With 60 Premier League goals to his name, he remains focused on winning trophies for the club rather than setting personal scoring targets, though his most prolific campaign saw him net 23 goals for Newcastle in 2024-25.