Liverpool’s transfer window appears to be falling into two distinct parts this summer.
The first is the initial push, in which the Reds secured three excellent signings in key areas of the pitch.
After buying Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez, Liverpool are likely to focus on sales before returning to the second half of their incoming business.
This is set to be where Liverpool target a new centre-back and a new centre-forward. Things already appear to be moving along nicely for the former, where latest reports suggest Marc Guehi is keen to join Liverpool.
In terms of a striker, though, that is where the real excitement lies. And while it is going to be a difficult one to get done, there is a feeling Liverpool may sign Alexander Isak.
With suggestions that Liverpool could bid for Isak in July, it would be no big surprise if the Swede does end up at Anfield. And after Arne Slot spoke highly about Isak on three separate occasions last season, it is already clear just how big a fan the Dutch head coach is.
What has Arne Slot said about Alexander Isak?
If Liverpool are able to sign Isak, it would likely take another British record fee to bring him to Merseyside. But Slot clearly thinks the 25-year-old is worth it.
The first time the Liverpool head coach was alerted to Isak’s quality came after his team’s 3-3 draw against Newcastle at St James’ Park in December.
Isak scored an absolute belter that day, with Slot praising the speed of the shot after the game.
“That they are able to score a goal, that’s not a surprise for me and especially the first one, what a finish that was,” Slot said. “That shot from Isak, I don’t even know if Caoimh [Kelleher] saw that goal, as hard as it was.”
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The Dutchman was also keen to praise Newcastle’s No. 14 ahead of the second match-up of the season between the teams at Anfield in February. Although Isak did not end up playing in the subsequent match, Slot still bigged him up before it.
“It’s an understatement to say that he’s in fine form,” Slot mused. “I think he’s in excellent form. It’s the team performance which will help us control him. The more ball possession we have, the easier it is to control him, although he’s definitely a threat on the counter-attack as well.
“The good thing for us is that we’ve got two centre-backs that are probably one of the best players that are able to play against him. We have two very, very good centre-backs and that’s definitely what you need if you face a striker with the quality of Alexander Isak.”
Slot likened Isak to PSG’s attackers
As well as raving about Isak in and around the Premier League clashes with Newcastle, Slot also gave the Sweden international a mention ahead of the Carabao Cup final in March.
The game would prove to be a defining moment for Isak, as he buried what was ultimately the goal which gave Newcastle their first domestic trophy in 70 years.
His finish gave new meaning to Slot’s pre-match words, as the Liverpool boss compared Isak to the PSG forwards who had troubled his team only days before.
“Looking at Newcastle, we played them twice. In the last game Isak wasn’t involved, in the first game he was involved,” he said.
“He is such an important player for them, he’s an unbelievable threat and has the speed that, for example, the attackers of Paris Saint-Germain had on Tuesday as well.”
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