One Premier League match down with 37 still ahead. Liverpool began their campaign with a win, as they often do on opening weekends, but the triumph over Bournemouth came with a few complications.
The Cherries highlighted some of the flaws in Arne Slot’s system, although there is little reason for alarm, with Liverpool already addressing defensive concerns through the signing of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.
The return of Ryan Gravenberch from suspension should provide greater balance and stability to the squad, yet the attack remains an area of focus as the transfer window edges towards its close, with depth still an issue.
For that reason, it seems clear that Liverpool are not finished strengthening their attacking options.
Hugo Ekitike has made a strong start in a Liverpool shirt, netting impressive goals against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield and again versus Bournemouth on the league’s opening weekend.
However, with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez sold and the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, Liverpool find themselves short of attacking options. It is evident that Arne Slot could strike gold if FSG succeed in landing the most sought-after signing on the market.
That player is Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. TEAMtalk report that Liverpool are preparing another bid for the Swedish forward after their initial £110m offer was turned down at the beginning of August.
Isak, 25, has taken a stand at St. James’ Park, with Fabrizio Romano noting that Newcastle have made every effort to persuade him to stay, including the offer of a new deal containing a release clause from 2026.
Even so, Liverpool remain undeterred, with further reports claiming that Michael Edwards recently returned from Boston following discussions with FSG about pursuing the centre-forward.
Isak is determined to join Liverpool and has been pushing hard for the move, releasing his first public statement since speculation over his future began on Tuesday evening.
How Alexander Isak Compares to Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool may have already smashed the British transfer record this summer, with the £100m deal for Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen potentially rising to £116m through performance-related add-ons.
Any move for Alexander Isak would surpass that figure, with sources close to Newcastle insisting the £120k-per-week forward is valued at around £150m.
While sporting director Richard Hughes will attempt to negotiate a lower fee, FSG are fully aware that securing Isak will demand a record-breaking outlay. Even so, the Swede would represent the ultimate signing — arguably an even greater coup than Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool paid Eintracht Frankfurt £79m for the 23-year-old French striker in July, and his early impact suggests Arne Slot may have unearthed a gem. Yet Ekitike is still raw and untested over the course of a full campaign at a club of Liverpool’s stature, whereas Isak proved himself last season as, in the words of BBC Sport analyst Raj Chohan, “the best striker in the world.”
With his prolific scoring record, combined with athleticism and energy, Isak embodies the qualities that Ekitike hopes to develop and mirror as he grows into his role at Anfield.
Isak also offers creativity and flair, with Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope once describing him as “like a wizard” with the ball at his feet.
Above all, his consistent and clinical finishing across multiple Premier League seasons underlines his standing as one of the very best forwards in the game.
| Isak’s Last Two PL Seasons | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats (* per game) | 23/24 | 24/25 |
| Matches (starts) | 30 (27) | 34 (34) |
| Goals | 21 | 23 |
| Assists | 2 | 6 |
| Touches* | 26.8 | 33.3 |
| Shots (on target)* | 2.4 (1.4) | 2.9 (1.4) |
| Big chances missed | 21 | 18 |
| Pass completion | 80% | 77% |
| Big chances created | 5 | 11 |
| Key passes* | 0.9 | 1.2 |
| Dribbles* | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| Ball recoveries* | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| Tackles + interceptions* | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| Duels (won)* | 2.4 | 2.8 |
| Data Source Sofascore | ||
Ekitike is presently Liverpool’s only recognised first-team striker, which makes the pursuit of Isak entirely logical. Both forwards also possess the athleticism to operate effectively together in the same side.
That said, Isak would undoubtedly be the focal point of Liverpool’s attack. Even at a higher price, he represents a superior and more influential signing than the emerging Ekitike — a testament to the level of attacking quality Arne Slot is assembling within his squad.
In other news, Liverpool Transfer Update Amid Alexander Isak Bombshell Statement and Newcastle Stance