Alexander Isak has finally announced himself in a Liverpool shirt, and he did it in spectacular fashion.
The Swedish striker produced a sensational nine-minute spell against Ipswich Town, scoring twice to fire Liverpool to a 2-0 Premier League victory at Portman Road and hand Andoni Iraola his first win as Reds boss.
For a player who endured a frustrating and injury-hit first season at Anfield, the performance could hardly have come at a better time.
Isak arrived at Liverpool for a British-record £125 million fee, but his debut campaign was badly disrupted by fitness problems. He managed just four goals in 22 appearances across the season, leaving supporters desperate to see the prolific Newcastle version of the striker return.
Now, the signs are looking very different.
His brace against Ipswich took his league tally for the new campaign to three goals, meaning he has already matched the number of Premier League goals he managed last season.
And he did not need long to make his mark.
Isak struck in the sixth minute before adding another just three minutes later, with Cody Gakpo supplying the assists for both goals. He even had a third effort ruled out for offside before eventually being substituted in the second half.
The performance was exactly what Liverpool needed from their marquee number nine.
But perhaps the most exciting part came after the final whistle.
Isak insisted that the difficult period at Liverpool is now behind him and suggested that the team is beginning to play the kind of football they want under Iraola. His message was simple: there is considerably more to come.
Iraola is equally confident.
The Liverpool manager believes that if Isak can remain fit, the striker will produce the numbers expected from a player of his quality.
That is a frightening thought for the rest of the Premier League.
Liverpool have already added serious firepower to their attack, while Gakpo’s combination with Isak is quickly becoming something opposition defenders will have to worry about. All three of Isak’s league goals this season have involved Gakpo assists, giving the pair an early attacking connection that could become increasingly dangerous.
The Reds also introduced £123 million signing Bradley Barcola during the second half, adding even more pace and unpredictability to an already revamped attack.
After a difficult opening to the season, Liverpool finally have something to celebrate.
Iraola has his first victory. Isak has rediscovered his finishing touch. Gakpo is producing. Barcola has made his debut.
And if Isak’s latest promise becomes reality, Liverpool fans may only have seen the beginning.
