Liverpool legend Michael Owen believes that Isak's struggles at Liverpool cannot be entirely blamed on him, and his teammates bear some responsibility as well.

Isak has struggled to perform at his expected level since joining Liverpool from Newcastle last summer. Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has defended Isak, pointing out that the Swedish forward's teammates also affected his performance. Isak's first season at Anfield was difficult, with pre-season preparations disrupted and a fractured leg also impacting his first season under Slot.

Owen told GOAL: "I don't think the issue now is fitness. He's been back with the team for a while, played in the final stages of the season, then went to the World Cup, and then completed a full pre-season."

"So I don't think it's a fitness issue now. The difficulty is, when you're in a team that really struggled last season like Liverpool did, and when Isak got healthy, the team was also in a slump."

"We could almost blame Wirtz and almost everyone else last season, except Szoboszlai. As a big-name signing, all eyes will be on you, but besides Szoboszlai, who else really performed at their expected level last season? It's really tough."

"Looking back, we've seen this before under Klopp at Liverpool. People would think there were a few mediocre players in the squad, but once the momentum picked up, things were different."

"Once the team started clicking, players like Robertson, Milner, and Henderson, who were once considered just ordinary professionals, suddenly seemed like the most crucial cogs in any team's operation."

"What I'm trying to say is, to some extent, a rising tide lifts all boats. We're just blaming Isak now, but Liverpool had a lot of problems last season, and he just became the scapegoat, as did Wirtz. But that's only because they were probably the two most expensive signings."

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