The alarming Alexander Isak stats from Liverpool’s shock loss to Nott’m Forest as record signing flounders again

It was another afternoon to forget for Liverpool as they succumbed to a 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest and another afternoon to forget for their record signing Alexander Isak.

Back from the international break, it was back to reality for Liverpool as their title defence suffered another setback with a heavy defeat to a side who started the day in the relegation zone. Goals from Murillo, Nicolo Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White sealed Liverpool’s fate.

It’s the kind of result – especially after their last game before the break also finished as a 3-0 loss, to Manchester City – that indicates there were strugglers all around. There will be more scrutiny on head coach Arne Slot, for example.

But there were also major concerns over the lack of impact from Isak, who joined the club in a record deal from Newcastle United on deadline day but has now gone his first five league games for Liverpool without scoring.

Some of the underlying stats from Isak’s performance highlighted his struggles even further.

Against Forest, the Swedish striker only attempted one shot, and it wasn’t on target. Despite playing for 68 minutes before being taken off, Isak only touched the ball 15 times.

He lost possession seven times and the only dribble he attempted was unsuccessful.

In terms of passes, Isak attempted eight and only completed six.

Most tellingly of all, he lost all of his duels – either on the ground or in the air.

Isak slammed for doing ‘nothing’

The reaction on social media to Isak’s performance was damning – and not only from accounts looking to generate interactions.

For example, BBC Sport’s chief football writer, Phil McNulty posted on X: “Alexander Isak replaced by Federico Chiesa. If I had said Isak had done nothing today I would not be exaggerating.”

Those sentiments were echoed by several other users, with questions being asked of Liverpool’s decision to spend as much as they did on the 26-year-old.

Isak’s only goal for Liverpool so far was against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, a competition the Reds have since been eliminated from.

While he did arrive at Liverpool after not going through a proper pre-season, more would have been expected of Isak by this stage and he will be hoping to turn around his fortunes sooner rather than later.

Latest Liverpool news: Huge Semenyo step; Konate claim

Away from the pitch, there’s been plenty of Liverpool transfer speculation recently – even after their summer of massive spending.

For example, they have made a huge step in their quest to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth as a new winger, according to Fabrizio Romano.

There have also been claims that a different attacker prefers a move to Liverpool over Manchester United, despite their north-west rivals opening talks.

Meanwhile, what Ibrahima Konate has told Liverpool about Real Madrid has been shared by a transfer journalist.