Rio Ferdinand says there’s something important people need to remember about Alexander Isak

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Alexander Isak’s Liverpool transfer saga was undoubtedly the biggest news of the summer transfer window.

Although rumours of a move for the Sweden international to Liverpool were rife since June, most people didn’t expect the move to go through, especially with how stubborn Newcastle were being.

The Sweden international was one of the Premier League’s best strikers last season with most thinking that Isak and Mohamed Salah would form an unstoppable attacking duo, but this hasn’t been the case.

And, while he may have been impressive last term, the fact that he’s joined a team who play in a completely different style to what he’s used to, means that there’s going to be a lengthy adjustment period.

These are also the exact thoughts of former Manchester United man Rio Ferdinand who thinks that it’s still going to take time for the number nine to adapt.

Rio Ferdinand claims that it’s going to take time for Alexander Isak to get used to Liverpool’s set-up

Not only are Liverpool a much bigger team that Newcastle United but Arne Slot also deploys a completely different system to Eddie Howe.

Howe chose to build his team around having a striker that the Magpies could play the ball towards with his wingers often crossing the balls in and trying to get it into the box.

However, Liverpool’s set-up consists of two inverted wingers and a striker who all want to get in on the action.

And, while speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents Podcast, the former Man United defender shared his thoughts on Isak and why people are forgetting that it’s going to take time for the number nine to get used to his new surroundings.

“Isak at the moment is in transition from a new team, new culture, a new changing room, etc,” he said.

“New responsibilities, new pressures, and he hasn’t hit the ground running like a lot of us would have expected.

“I think you got to take into consideration this is a very different setup, [a] very different team. He’s gone from a team that played with flying wingers who were just getting the ball in the box, getting down the sides, smashing the ball across the box to playing against teams with a high line and running onto things as well.

“He was the guy they were playing into.

“Now they first look to Salah right, and the second look is probably one of the midfielders and then he might be third or fourth look.

“He’s playing with two inverted wingers who both want to come inside now rather than two wingers who are flying down the wing to provide chances for him.

“It’s such a different setup and a look to what he’s been used to. Again, when you’re recruiting players, are you accounting for what it’s going to be like and [what] the differences are going to be here and can that player adapt?

“Now, listen, we’re all sitting there going Isak is a sure certain thing he’s going to fly. he’s going to do his thing at Liverpool and I think he will in time but there’s an adaptation period now which he’s got to adjust to quickly before people really start getting on his back.

“We’re seeing people post Liverpool [versus] Man United saying where is he, what’s he doing he’s even becoming a bit of a meme at times.

“I think it’s too early to judge him but there are big differences between the Newcastle setup in attacking sense compared to Liverpool.”

Liverpool must try and play to the strengths of Alexander Isak if they want to get the best out of him

At the moment, it’s unclear how things are going to end up panning out for Liverpool.

They’re currently sitting fourth in the Premier League table with 15 points as they find themselves four points adrift of league leaders, Arsenal.

One of the Reds’ main problems this term is the lack of form that their players are in.

Every area of Slot’s first-team squad from the defence to the attack has performed below par at one point or another this term.

However, the fact that they have Isak playing with two inverted wingers when that isn’t how to get the best out of him is rather baffling.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	ArsenalArsenal	8	6	1	1	15	3	12	19
2	Manchester CityManchester City	8	5	1	2	17	6	11	16
3	LiverpoolLiverpool	8	5	0	3	14	11	3	15
4	BournemouthBournemouth	8	4	3	1	14	11	3	15
5	ChelseaChelsea	8	4	2	2	16	9	7	14
6	TottenhamTottenham	8	4	2	2	14	7	7	14

Indeed, that is how Liverpool have been set up since Jurgen Klopp’s era, but when you bring in an out-and-out goalscorer who bagged 23 Premier League goals last term, you need to play to his strengths.

Salah also deserves to have his strengths played to but with the form he’s been in this season, it might be worth Slot benching the Egyptian King for a game or two.