Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, A Perfect Match

Liverpool's record signing made his debut in the 3-2 win over Atlético Madrid. Alexander Isak only had 25 touches but they told us a lot.

Watching a match in full when you have missed it live but know the score is a fascinating experience. There’s no adrenalin, dread, fear, excitement. You’re free to take it all in without being beholden to the rollercoaster of the full experience.

I was in this position with Liverpool’s Champions League win over Atlético Madrid. If not as much fun as seeing another late winner in the moment, it was good to skip past VAR checks for penalties that were clearly not penalties.

With no edge and no statistics to post, I could view the match in anyway I saw fit. There was one major point of interest: the debut of Alexander Isak. I only had eyes for one man.

The Reds’ record signing played 58 minutes, in which he had 25 touches. If it doesn’t sound many, it’s fine for a centre-forward. Erling Haaland averages a shade under 23 every 90 minutes for Manchester City. Hugo Ekitike got just 14 in 78 minutes against Arsenal (though the ball was probably in play for about a third of that).

Assessing Liverpool this season has been hard, thanks to the different context surrounding their matches. Emotion, opposition fan anger, cautious set piece merchants and the lowest of low blocks have all presented challenges. Passing judgment on Isak’s performance against Atléti is affected by the Reds going 2-0 up before he’d touched the ball.

In one sense it helped as it forced the visitors to open up more than they’d like. But with Liverpool having less impetus to attack, Isak’s involvement may have been inhibited in that regard.

Reading too much into a 25-touch hour is a foolish either way. You could see the rust falling away as the game progressed, though. It was also clear that Isak will form an excellent relationship with Florian Wirtz. What little context we have for the German’s Liverpool career proves the point.

Isak was also aided by having Ryan Gravenberch in fantastic form behind him. The Swede’s first shot in a red shirt came at the end of a short sequence that was instigated by a great possession regain by the holding midfielder. Gravenberch had previously attempted to engineer a one-two with Isak on the edge of the box to give the new boy his first touch too.

It would be three-and-a-half minutes before he was involved on the ball again. However, Isak fiercely pressed Robin Le Normand in the right-back zone in that period. Thanks to Sean Rogers of The Anfield Wrap sharing the numbers, we can see that the number nine made 27 standard pressures, with three counter-pressures (which come within five seconds of a turnover).

These numbers bode well based on Isak’s history. He averaged 20.9 and 3.0 per 90 respectively in 2023/24, 25.9 and 3.8 last season. Topping those numbers when not at full fitness suggests he’ll be fine for work rate in the Liverpool press.

An application of pressure before half time led to an unsuccessful tackle in the box; neither here nor there in isolation, except that he only made two penalty area tackles in the entirety of 2023/24. Isak was clearly working hard to make a good first impression.

As one of the taller players in the side, he also showed he can help defend set plays. Isak cleared a first half corner after receiving some instruction from Virgil van Dijk. Only he, Ibrahima Konaté and Cody Gakpo were taller outfielders than the Swede on Wednesday night. His aerial ability will be an asset at both ends.

It’s what he does in the final third which will obviously matter most. There were reasons for encouragement across the width of the pitch; a carry into the box then later a key pass to Mohamed Salah from the left, a completed dribble on the right.

Alexander Isak heatmap versus Atletico Madrid

Irrespective of the location, Isak’s work with Wirtz provided most of his highlights. It is vital they form a strong bond, with the initial findings very pleasing.

The German found the former Newcastle man with six passes, more than he has delivered to Ekitike in any match to date. The three which went the other way were arguably better, with the cutest of them early in the second half.

There was a similar - if not as smooth - backheel pass that Isak played to Wirtz in the first half. The path to a potential goal briefly threatened to open up for the debutant, until the defenders were able to block the path from Gakpo to the centre of the box.

The other Alex to Flo pass was a through-ball to complete a one-two. It ultimately led to one of Liverpool’s seven Opta-defined big chances in the match.

Wirtz didn’t get to take a shot there, sadly. He did set up Isak’s first effort on target for the Reds though. While the finish lacked power, the move was broadly similar to Ekitike’s goal in the Community Shield. We can expect to regularly see this brand of build up.

The pair combined to fashion the Swede’s first shot two minutes earlier. Credit also to Dominik Szoboszlai for the press which helped regain possession.

It is only a shame that Isak wasn’t fit enough to play longer. The below (sped up) clip shows a brief passage of play which begins with Wirtz almost playing him in with a through-ball. Within the next 30 seconds, the Reds had a claim for a handball penalty before the German passed behind Isak in the box. These two are going to have a lot of fun together.

There is clearly so much more to come from Isak. If he can do this against a hardened Champions League outfit when not up to speed, anything feels possible. In tandem with Wirtz, we can push those expectations higher still.