After 236 days of frustration, Alexander Isak finally scored his first home Premier League goal for Liverpool, sparking a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield.
The Swedish striker, who joined Liverpool for a British record £125 million, had endured a difficult season marred by injuries and a serious ankle fracture in December that included a fractured fibula. His landmark goal in the 35th minute—a shot that looped over Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson—was his first of 2026 and Liverpool's first home league win in a match he started.
"Did anyone ever think we would say this, eight or nine months ago, that at the end of April, Alexander Isak scored his first Liverpool league goal at Anfield?" manager Arne Slot reflected. "That sums up this season a lot—that an unbelievable striker has had such a long time with injuries. It's really nice that he has scored because when we signed him we knew he could score goals."
Isak's journey at Anfield has been in stark contrast to his previous season at Newcastle United, where he netted 27 goals and helped secure Champions League football. Upon arriving at Liverpool, he expressed ambitions to "create history" and "win trophies," but his debut campaign has been overshadowed by setbacks.
With Liverpool pushing for a Champions League spot, Slot acknowledged the team will need Isak at his best. The question remains whether this goal can ignite a turnaround for the striker and provide a foundation for the season's final stretch.