So…Alexander Isak?
In stark contrast to last season, Liverpool’s transfer strategy for our title defense is nothing short of ambitious. Liverpool shattered its previous signing record to lock down one of the best young midfielders on the planet. We locked down two immensely talented fullbacks to both replace Trent Alexander-Arnold and secure the left-back position against Andy Robertson’s plans. We provided Allison Becker with a worthy understudy, a suitable replacement for Caoimhín Kelleher. It’s enough to inspire the kind of glee you only get as a child on the night before Christmas. Even so, the wishlist among the Liverpool faithful has one thing firmly rooted to the top: a dedicated striker. One of the stickiest rumors is that we’re closing in on one of the most coveted talents in the Premier League, a player who is even an unlikely target for this Liverpool side: Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.
READ MORE: The Curious Cult Of Chiesa by Jack Champagne
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An Ongoing Struggle
Whatever ambitions Liverpool FC might have for the season, the number 9 position seems to have been deprioritized in favor of a more wide-reaching rebuild. There’s no doubt that Liverpool has struggled pretty hard to replace Bobby Firmino. Unconventional as he may have been for a striker, he was brutally effective in Klopp’s pressing system with Mohamed Salah as an attacking partner. Replacing Firmino was never going to be easy, but three seasons have passed, and we’re still trying.
This season has seen a fluid attacking line-up. The center attacking position has been variously occupied by part-time wingers like Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz. The interest shown in Gakpo, Diaz, and Darwin Nunez by outside parties means that we’ve likely got an extensive rebuild on the horizon. However, it’s still not clear what shape that will take. That being the case, the news that Liverpool is at least interested in Alexander Isak is certainly welcome.
The Isak Resume
Isak is currently Newcastle United’s record signing, and it’s easy to see why. In a season where Mohamed Salah stood out prominently as the top offensive player, Isak was in second place. He was the lynchpin of a brilliantly successful Newcastle season. The Swedish ace helped the Magpies secure Champions League qualification and their first trophy since 1955. Isak has been a standout player in one of the strongest Newcastle sides in history. His presence even terrified a Liverpool side that would stroll merrily to the Premier League title.
I’ve seen buzz about drafting Isak into Liverpool red since the start of the season, with varying degrees of seriousness. And why not? If I asked a mad scientist to craft an ideal striker in a lab, they’d probably bring me something indistinguishable from Alexander Isak. Isak is the total package: immense height, blistering pace, clinical finishing, and brilliant spatial awareness. There’s no doubt he’d made an impact on any team. The question has always been one of practicality. The desire for Isak has been tempered by the perceived impossibility of getting him over to Merseyside. But the picture seems to be changing.
The Long Game
Liverpool’s restraint in last season’s transfer windows is paying off handsomely. Not only did we claim the moral victory of winning the league without spending our way to victory, but we’ve come into this window with both a war chest and breathing room within the League’s spending regulations. Being Premier League champions with money to burn is an incredibly powerful position. That position was bolstered by how easily we were able to secure the services of Florian Wirtz over the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Even in that context, I would never have believed it was even conceivable to sign two world-class talents in the same season. If Wirtz feels like a dream, Wirtz plus Isak feels like pure fantasy.
But, regardless of whether that happens, it is indeed possible. Isak’s talent, the value of his contract, and centrality to Newcastle’s strategy mean that he’s going to command a price that is likely to rival or even surpass that of our newest record signing. But Liverpool has the money to spend, impossible as it sounds, and has shown no hesitation in spending it to the degree necessary. Our negotiations thus far have proven that Liverpool is an extremely attractive destination for young players. Being a visibly well-run club, Arne Slot’s reputation and persuasive plans for the future, and the team’s status as proven winners, have been lovely incentives for top talent.
Despite Newcastle’s reluctance, Liverpool is in a strong negotiating position. Even considering Newcastle’s recent success, Isak’s ambitions may fly beyond what Newcastle is capable of offering at this stage. As Newcastle struggles to tie down Isak, the iron is red hot for Liverpool to strike with a better offer. The brief is clear. We can get Isak.
So…Why?
But do we need Isak? Given the nature of Liverpool’s strategy, one should always expect smart money to predominate over big money. With many of our offensive regulars linked to an exit, there’s a good argument that this is a season where quantity matters just as much as quality. Rather than one big superstar, that money could also be spent on a couple of pretty good attackers to shore up an offense built around Mohamed Salah. Speaking of Salah, he is at his most effective with attacking partners who are also strong defenders. Mo cited Firmino and Nunez as examples. This is perhaps the only area where Isak is not exceptional, as his contributions in the defensive phase are subpar. With attacking responsibilities being as widely distributed as they are under Slot, it’s arguable whether a dedicated striker is even all that necessary. Do we need Isak? Probably not.
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Do we want Isak, though? Dear God, yes. For a team that is defined by consistency, we are lacking in front of the net. We need a moment maker, someone who can be relied upon without fail if Mohamed Salah is having an off night. There needs to be an anchor if our midfield isn’t creating enough chances. We desire a talisman capable of a single sharp finish to provide the difference between one or three points. And honestly, who can doubt the psychological impact of having the two top goal scorers in the league on the same line?
If you thought Anfield was scary before, imagine Anfield being rocked by odes to both Mo Salah and Alexander Isak every time a ball hits the back of the net. Not to mention, we’re going for the double next year. Every world-class talent under our belt is an increased chance of taking home the Champions League. It’s just such an immensely attractive idea that it’s little wonder that the hype has reached a fever pitch. It’s like owning a home gym: I’ll survive without it, but boy, it sure would be nice to have.
A lot of earth has to move to acquire Isak. I doubt Liverpool would miss him if we don’t manage to tempt him away from Tyneside. But the fact that such a signing is even feasible is worthy of all of the excitement it’s generating. More than anything, it shows we mean business in this title defense. That real ambition should be terrifying to all of our rivals across the world.