Liverpool legend Ray Houghton believes Alexander Isak will score more than 20 goals for the Reds this season. The two time First Division title winner also explained why the 125 million pound striker looks like a different player in 2026-27 after a debut campaign at Anfield that produced only four goals.
Isak arrived as the most expensive player in British football after Liverpool watched him closely during three years at Newcastle. The Merseyside club expected the composed Swedish forward to be a smart addition to their squad.
Things did not go to plan at the start. Isak came in short on fitness after a badly disrupted pre-season. He then suffered a broken leg and never managed to build momentum or consistency. With fewer than a handful of goals many questioned whether he deserved Liverpool’s famous No.9 shirt and whether he would ever justify the faith and money invested in him.
This season the story looks very different. Isak opened his account against Nottingham Forest. He then scored a match winning brace in the victory over Ipswich before sealing another away win with his lone strike at Bournemouth. He has already matched his entire goal tally from last season in just seven appearances and seems to have rediscovered the swagger that briefly left him. The next challenge is keeping these high individual standards while helping the team as a whole.
When asked if he expects Isak to pass 20 goals this term after reaching that mark a couple of times for Newcastle the former Liverpool midfielder told GOAL he does. Houghton was speaking in association with IrishBetting.ie.
He said it depends on fitness but Isak looks sharp right now. He described last season and this season as chalk and cheese. He praised Isak’s runs and said they suit players like Barcola or Munoz because wingers can thread balls in behind the defense knowing Isak has the pace and wants the ball in that space rather than at his feet. Houghton added that coming short and joining the build up is not Isak’s strength and Hugo Ekitike can handle that role.
Houghton said Isak is at his best when running and stretching the opposition on the shoulders of the last defender. He pointed to the goals against Ipswich and Bournemouth as proof that Isak is timing his runs well and finishing from the right positions.
He also reminded fans that judging Isak last season was unfair because of his fitness issues and the injury picked up against Spurs which left him playing catch up. This season Isak went to the World Cup and got extra fitness work with Sweden before returning looking fit healthy and happy with a smile on his face.
Isak has helped Liverpool stay unbeaten in the 2026-27 campaign across the Premier League Champions League and Carabao Cup. There is still a sense that much more can come from the Reds. If their main striker keeps scoring and Ekitike returns from injury at some point then Andoni Iraola’s first season in charge could turn out to be very productive and possibly end with a major trophy.
