‘It’s time to deliver against Man United’ – Liverpool hero Aldridge fires warning to Swedish-Eritrean striker Alexander Isak

Liverpool legend John Aldridge has challenged striker Alexander Isak to start living up to expectations as the Reds prepare for their crucial Premier League showdown with Manchester United this weekend.

The Swedish-Eritrean forward has endured a quiet start to life at Anfield following his high-profile £125 million transfer from Newcastle United, with supporters eager to see the form that made him one of the league’s most clinical finishers last season.

Writing in his column for the Liverpool Echo, Aldridge stated bluntly: “After over a month as a Liverpool player, it’s time now for Alexander Isak to come to the party.”

He noted that the 25-year-old arrived short of full fitness after missing pre-season at Newcastle, but stressed that such explanations can no longer apply.

“The other side of the international break means he should be able to show exactly why he is the £125m man at Anfield,” Aldridge wrote.

The former Liverpool striker, who scored 63 goals for the club between 1987 and 1989, believes Isak’s talent is undeniable but insists the forward must now justify his price tag.

“Isak still has the ability to bag 20 to 30 goals for Liverpool this season, but the sooner he moves away from all the talk of needing to get fit, the sooner he will start contributing properly for Arne Slot and do what he was signed for,” he added.

Aldridge also pointed out that the striker has now had ample time to reach match sharpness.

“During my playing days, people used to talk of needing a month or so to get up to match fitness over the summer and Isak will have had about six or seven weeks by the time Manchester United arrive at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.”

Liverpool fans will be hoping the message resonates, as the Reds look to strengthen their title ambitions against their fiercest rivals.