Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
It goes without saying that if Liverpool signed Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, most fans and pundits alike would tip them to win the Premier League next season.
Liverpool approached Newcastle to sign Isak and coming off the back of his 23-goal season in the league, the Swede’s potential arrival could worry Manchester City if he says yes to a move to Merseyside.
While Pep Guardiola has arguably the world’s best goalscorer in Erling Haaland at his disposal, Arne Slot’s side won the league at canter last season and look best-placed to repeat their feat — having signed Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong as well.
Guardiola likes Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol’s partnership and when City face the Reds, it is likely that the Sky Blues duo will be tasked to keep the 25-year-old quiet if he makes the move to Anfield.
Abdukodir Khusanov should relish Alexander Isak battle if he joins Liverpool
However, the one defender at Manchester City who should especially relish a potential battle with Isak if he ended up signing for Liverpool is Abdukodir Khusanov. Khusanov, who Pep Guardiola called “special” managed to keep the former Real Sociedad marksman quiet when Manchester City beat Newcastle 4-0 last season.
While the scoreline could reflect that City breezed past the Magpies, Eddie Howe’s side looked threatening on several occasions — as they tried to hurt the hosts at the Etihad Stadium on the counter-attack and cause them problems with their direct approach.
However, the truth is that Khusanov dominated Alexander Isak, which meant Newcastle’s attacking approach against Manchester City was rendered powerless — coming out on top in the air, expertly marking the star striker inside the box and tracking the speedster’s runs to perfection.
Abdukodir Khusanov kicks a football during AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Time and time again, the visitors tried picking the in-demand frontman out but it seemed like Pep Guardiola had instructed the former RC Lens centre-back to man-mark him. It’s safe to say that the tactic worked to a tee as Khusanov could especially match Isak in several footraces, as he too is incredibly quick and like any top defender reads the game brilliantly.
Even when the Liverpool target tried to press the 21-year-old, his efforts were deemed futile as he was typically calm in possession and picked out his teammates for fun.
The stats further prove how well Khusanov, who has impressed at Manchester City played against Isak, who is one of Europe’s deadliest number nines.
With Isak failing to take a single shot, complete a single dribble as well as a key pass while losing possession nine times and accumulating an xG (Expected Goals) of 0.04, he had a rough outing to say the least.
Alexander Isak record vs Man City
However, the Carabao Cup winner would back himself to terrorise Manchester City if he signs for a superior team to Newcastle like Liverpool.
So far, the highly-rated goalscorer has a solid record against City.
The man from Solna has won just once and lost five games against the Sky Blues but in fairness to him, he has come away with two goals in the six outings.
Khusanov will be hoping to tame Isak once Manchester City and Liverpool go toe-to-toe with each other, provided the latter makes a blockbuster move to the Merseyside-based club.