Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham has thrown his weight behind Alexander Isak as the man most likely to cause Manchester City problems when the two sides meet at Anfield on Sunday, rating the Liverpool striker above City’s own Erling Haaland as the Premier League’s best centre-forward.
The fixture carries extra significance this season as new City head coach Enzo Maresca takes his side to Merseyside for the first time since replacing Pep Guardiola in the summer.
Maresca’s reign has started well enough, with City sitting top of the table after five matches, while Liverpool occupy sixth spot as they continue to find their rhythm.
Isak endured a difficult start to life at Anfield following his British-record move from Newcastle, with injury and a muddled attacking setup limiting his early impact. But Sheringham believes the forward is now showing exactly why Liverpool were prepared to break the bank for him, and says his resurgence should worry every defence left in the division, City’s included.
‘He’s the best striker in the Premier League,’ says Sheringham
Speaking in an interview with Hajper, as reported by the Mirror, Sheringham did not hold back in his assessment of the Sweden international.
“I really like Alexander Isak. I like what he gives you as a centre-forward,” Sheringham said.
“He was obviously not right last season but the whole situation at Liverpool was wrong, even down to playing two centre-forwards, and it just didn’t work for anyone.”
The former England striker went further, placing Isak above Haaland in the pecking order despite the Norwegian’s prolific record in sky blue.
“For me, he’s the best striker in the Premier League. He is phenomenal. I’d like to see him win the Golden Boot this year, and not just to beat Erling Haaland but for the way that Isak plays the game, and how hungry he is for goals,” he said.
Sheringham also pointed to the forward’s recent form as evidence of a player rediscovering his sharpest touch in front of goal.
“I like his demeanor on the pitch. He wants to score goals and he can score goals, and his goals against Ipswich Town were fantastic.
“That should get the rest of the Premier League worried this season, I love it. He looks back to his very best, sharp shooting, getting it out of his feet and… bang, goal!” he added.
For Liverpool, a fully firing Isak would represent a timely boost. The striker struggled to nail down a settled role last term, often deployed alongside Hugo Ekitike in a forward pairing that disrupted the team’s balance.
With that experiment seemingly behind them, Isak appears closer to the predatory form that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards before his switch from Newcastle.
Sunday’s meeting at Anfield will be the first time Maresca has taken his City side to Liverpool since succeeding Guardiola, and a repeat of Isak’s recent sharpness in front of goal would hand the Reds a significant psychological edge.
Meanwhile, Maresca has overseen a smooth transition at the Etihad, with City’s squad extensively remodelled and the club backing him in the transfer market. He looks to build on the foundations left by Guardiola’s decade of dominance.
The Cityzens head into the weekend as league leaders, but Sheringham’s verdict serves as a reminder that Liverpool possess a forward capable of turning the contest on its head.
