Sunday's final day at Anfield will carry the weight of endings and new beginnings. Whilst farewells await departing stars, one player will simply be grateful to step back onto the pitch after a season to forget.

Alexander Isak's debut campaign has been nothing short of miserable since his British record £125million move from Newcastle United in September. The striker who burned bridges on Tyneside to force his Anfield dream has found himself living through a nightmare instead.

The numbers tell a brutal story. Just 13 starts and nine substitute appearances. Four goals and one assist. For a player who cost more than any British club had ever spent, it's been a catastrophic return on investment.

Injuries have stalked Isak throughout his Liverpool career, with the broken leg suffered at Tottenham shortly before Christmas serving as the most significant setback. But it's the recent pattern of absences that has raised eyebrows amongst supporters.

The Swedish international has missed two of the last three matches, sitting out defeats at Manchester United and Aston Villa with what have been described as minor muscle problems. With the World Cup looming and Sweden having scraped through the play-offs after finishing bottom of their qualifying group, questions are being asked about his commitment.

The timing feels suspicious. A player who fought tooth and nail to leave Newcastle suddenly seems cautious about risking his fitness just weeks before representing his country. It's a narrative that won't sit well with fans who've watched their record signing drift through crucial matches.

Anders Limpar, the former Sweden international, hasn't pulled his punches when assessing Isak's struggles. "Alexander Isak hasn't looked good for Liverpool in their system," he told Betano Online Casino. "He suffered a horrendous injury requiring operations."

Limpar continued: "Then he came to Liverpool when the team's performance was declining. If a new player arrives when the team is struggling, who are they going to blame? I mean, the biggest signing, Alexander Isak, is being blamed. It's not his fault, it's the whole club's fault if they don't succeed. It's the manager, all the players, and the staff."

There's truth in those words. Isak arrived at a club in transition, with Arne Slot's methods still bedding in and the team struggling for consistency. To heap blame solely on the striker's shoulders ignores the wider issues plaguing this campaign.

Yet football is rarely fair, especially when you carry the burden of being the most expensive signing in British history. Every touch is scrutinised, every absence questioned, every goal drought magnified.

The Brentford fixture represents more than just the season's final act. It's Isak's chance to remind everyone why Liverpool broke the bank for his services. With Champions League qualification still requiring mathematical confirmation, a goal or two could prove crucial in securing European football.

More importantly, it's an opportunity to lay the groundwork for next season. The tactical framework will be built around maximising Isak's talents, but that only works if he's actually available and firing.

The patience of the fanbase has been tested throughout this campaign, but Sunday offers a reset. A chance for Isak to show glimpses of the player who terrorised Premier League defences in Newcastle colours.

As Limpar noted: "You can't just point to Alexander Isak as the sole reason why Liverpool hasn't been successful. That's not fair, especially with an injury like this. But I would like to see him stepping up."

The stage is set for Isak to finally step up when it matters most.