Liverpool’s summer spending spree looks to be far from over as the Reds set their sights on a blockbuster move for Alexander Isak.
Arne Slot has overseen the signings of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez this summer for a combined £269 million.
Embed from Getty ImagesShould they let the Swede depart, Newcastle would demand a fee well over the £100 million mark. The fact that they had their top target in Ekitike taken from them by Isak’s suitors will only inflate the price tag.
Ekitike put pen to paper this week in what looked like an alternative striker option to Isak. However, the recent news that Isak wants out of Tyneside has put Liverpool on red-hot alert.
Liverpool’s interest in the Swedish striker is long-standing and if the deal were to happen, it would send tremors down the country. Adding last season’s standout striker to the reigning champions would make Liverpool comfortable favourites to retain their title.
Embed from Getty ImagesIsak finished the 24/25 Premier League season with 23 goals and six assists. The 25-year-old topped his previous season’s goal tally by two goals.
His numbers are impressive, however he provides so much more than end product.
With the ball at his feet, Isak is a huge threat. He can jinx in and out of defenders, drop deep to link defence into attack and also attack space ahead of him. His arsenal is full of weapons that can cause damage to opponents.
Embed from Getty ImagesIsak already has a big game repertoire, including a cup final goal against the Reds in March and another three goals scored against them in the Premier League.
Liverpool are in the midst of an attacking reshuffle following the arrivals of Wirtz and Ekitike.
Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez look to be heading out of the door after the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
Embed from Getty ImagesSo how would this new look Liverpool team look with the addition of Isak?
Assuming Slot sticks with last season’s 4-3-3 shape, it can be expected that Isak would take up the striker role with Salah and Cody Gakpo supporting him on the flanks. Wirtz would slot into the midfield as the more attack-minded of the three midfielders.
However, this leaves the £70 million purchase of Ekitike on the bench. As a 23-year-old with little experience in elite football, perhaps he will be eased into the thick of things during his first season at the club.
Embed from Getty ImagesIf Ekitike were to start he could be deployed as the striker with Isak playing off of the left as we have seen him do from time to time at Newcastle.
Another option is for Slot to switch to a 4-4-2. Ekitike and Isak can play off of each other as the two strikers with Salah on the right and Wirtz on the left on paper. Of course, Wirtz would drift inside with Milos Kerkez bombing down the left-hand side from left back.
Should Isak be finalised, Liverpool’s squad depth will look as good as it has for years and Slot will have a major selection headache.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Max Pollen
INMR FOOTBALL 
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