Liverpool‘s first two games of the season have finished 2-2 despite Iraola’s side enjoying 60% of possession against Newcastle last week and 70% against Forest.
In both games, they have found themselves trailing and are yet to be ahead in the Premier League this season.
That has inevitably made things trickier for Isak, who was such a force in a counter-attacking Newcastle side. Against low blocks, the proposition is different.
It is also symptomatic of a wider issue Iraola faces.
Last season, his Bournemouth side won just four of the 19 Premier League games in which they had the majority of possession. They won nine of the other 19.
The Cherries, who were known for their counter-pressing style and effectiveness in transition, also failed to win a game in which they had more than 58.8% possession.
In essence, his side were more successful when they had less of the ball – something that will rarely happen now he is at Anfield.
“As an attacking force it isn’t flowing for Liverpool,” said Hart. “With the physical nature of the Premier League and with them not 100% sure on what they are doing at the moment, teams are stomping all over them.
“It’s going to take a whole lot of work from Iraola and his staff on the training pitch, but he is a top coach and they have top players.”
Asked about whether he sets targets for the season, Isak said: “Not really. I think every striker wants to score [in] every game he plays. Obviously that’s difficult but [we take] each game at a time.”
That is one way to look at it, and this was certainly an improvement on his showing against Newcastle, but deep down Isak will know he can – and must – do better.
