Alexander Isak scored Liverpool’s opening goal against Nottingham Forest but also registered the fewest touches by a Liverpool player to complete a Premier League match since Opta’s records began.
The Sweden international played the full 90 minutes at Anfield on Saturday evening as Liverpool drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest in the second round of the Premier League.
Opta described Isak as “isolated” after recording only 13 touches during the match.
“Isak touched the ball just 13 times during the 90 minutes he played,” the statistics provider said.
Opta added that the figure was “the lowest number of touches by any Liverpool player to complete a Premier League match” since it began compiling the data in the 2003-04 season.
Isak’s goal was Liverpool’s first of the game, but his limited involvement stood out despite him remaining on the pitch for the entire match. The 13-touch total was recorded in Liverpool’s first home fixture of the season at Anfield.
The draw was also the club’s first home match under their new manager, Spanish coach Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool were unable to win their opening league fixture, drawing by the same scoreline against Newcastle. They now face Ipswich Town in the third round of the Premier League.
The result against Nottingham Forest leaves Liverpool still searching for their first victory of the campaign under Iraola. While Isak found the net, the Opta statistic highlighted how rarely Liverpool were able to involve their striker in their attacking play over the course of the match.
His total is notable because it applies only to players who completed the full 90 minutes. Opta’s records cover Premier League matches from 2003-04 onwards, meaning Isak’s performance now represents the lowest recorded touch count for a Liverpool player who played an entire league game during that period.
Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest therefore produced contrasting headlines for Isak: he was responsible for putting the hosts on the scoresheet, yet his overall involvement was historically low according to the available data.
