Alexander Isak reminded everyone why Liverpool smashed their transfer record to bring him to Anfield last summer. The Swedish striker's goal in the 3-1 defeat to Norway might have been little more than a consolation, but the quality of the finish will have caught the eye of whoever takes charge at Anfield next.

Introduced for the final half hour with Sweden already trailing 3-0, Isak needed just over fifteen minutes to make his mark. A long ball found him wide on the left, and what followed was vintage Isak. The striker ran at defender Sondre Klingen Langås with purpose, stepping over the ball before shifting it onto his right foot and creating that crucial yard of space inside the area.

The shot that followed deflected wickedly off Langas and looped over Norwegian goalkeeper Ørjan Håskjold Nyland into the back of the net. Yes, the deflection helped, but it was the kind of direct running and clinical finishing that Liverpool fans caught only fleeting glimpses of last season.

That's the brutal truth about Isak's debut campaign at Anfield. After his British transfer record move from Newcastle United, injury after injury robbed Liverpool of their marquee signing. Just fourteen Premier League appearances tells the story of a season to forget, with only three goals and one assist to show for his troubles.

Across all competitions, Isak managed just eight further appearances, playing a mere 1,032 minutes all season. One additional goal in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton was scant reward for such a significant investment. For a player Liverpool clearly saw as the missing piece of their attacking puzzle, it was a frustrating introduction to life on Merseyside.

The departure of manager Slot at the weekend means whoever takes charge next will inherit the Isak conundrum. With Andoni Iraola reportedly the current frontrunner for the job, the new boss will need to find a way to keep their record signing fit and firing.

Isak's comments after the Norway match suggest he's feeling more confident about his body. When asked about his fitness by Fotboll Direkt, he said: "I don't know if I could have played for longer, it's very possible. But with another match so close, this was probably best I came off the bench for 30 minutes."

Looking ahead to Sweden's fixture against Greece, Isak added: "It's hard to say now, it depends on how I feel. If I feel fresh and then I could definitely consider starting." These are the words of a player gradually building confidence in his physical condition.

The injury situation at Anfield has only grown more concerning with Hugo Ekitike now sidelined for a lengthy period. Liverpool simply cannot afford another season of Isak absences. The former boss understood this reality, admitting the club had been "really careful" with their record signing after his torrid run of injuries.

Speaking about one of Isak's absences against Aston Villa, Slot explained: "Indeed, Alex is out – minor injury. I think it's something we all understand, if you miss pre-season, if you then have a broken leg, when you are coming back we've been really careful with him."

That cautious approach was understandable given Isak's injury history, but it also highlighted just how delicate the situation had become. Liverpool needed their record signing contributing regularly, not wrapped in cotton wool.

The goal against Norway offers hope that Isak is finding his rhythm again. That direct running, the close control in tight spaces, the composure to find the finish – these are exactly the qualities Liverpool thought they were buying. The challenge now is keeping him available to deliver them consistently.

With a new manager incoming and a fresh start on the horizon, Isak has the perfect opportunity to show he can be the game-changer Liverpool believed they were signing. The talent has never been in question – it's time to prove the body can handle the Premier League's demands.