Alexander Isak could help to replace the goals of Mohamed Salah when the Egyptian eventually retires, former Liverpool great Steve McManaman has exclusively told Sports Mole.
The Merseysiders confirmed the signing of Isak from Newcastle United for a Premier League record fee totalling £125m, and the Swede has taken the number nine as his shirt number.
Isak scored 23 goals for Newcastle last term in the Premier League, and his tally was second only to the Reds' own Mohamed Salah.
McManaman claimed that Isak's signing, alongside the addition of Hugo Ekitike, could help ease the eventual loss of Salah, when he told Sports Mole: "Liverpool brought in Florian Witrz as a creator, and they brought in Hugo Ekitike as a striker, but they definitely needed another one. The more the merrier.
"When Mo Salah does eventually retire, if Liverpool have got people at the club like Isak, like Ekitike, who can score lots of goals, that will certainly help them mitigate his loss in the seasons to come."
Salah has two years left on his contract and is 33 years old, so it is likely that supporters are seeing the final seasons of the winger in a Liverpool shirt, so planning for a future without him will be of paramount importance.
Former Liverpool player Steve McManaman before the Premier League football match between Liverpool and Newcastle United, on February 27, 2025
Why Liverpool needed Alexander Isak for 2025-26 Premier League season
Arne Slot has enjoyed a perfect start to the Premier League campaign, guiding his side to three victories from their first three league matches.
The arrival of Isak will be an immense boost to the club, and the striker's signing means the Reds now have five senior options for three positions in the frontline.
McManaman insisted to Sports Mole that Liverpool were short of attackers and had to bring in another player, saying: "Liverpool still needed another forward after their business, and Arne Slot mentioned it on a number of occasions, that he needed another forward in the squad.
"Liverpool need as many forwards as possible. Of course, Darwin left, Luis Diaz left, and the tragic story of Diogo Jota meant the club lost three really good forwards, who all helped them win the title last year."
Given Hugo Ekitike is only 23 years old and is playing his first season of English top-flight football, having more squad depth to help him acclimatise to the Premier League is a sensible idea.
Liverpool confirm the signing of Alexander Isak in a British-record transfer deal on September 1, 2025
How is Liverpool's squad shaping up for the Premier League title race?
Liverpool have strengthened significantly this summer, with the club making additions at both ends of the pitch at a total cost of over £400m.
Despite their expenditure,a deal for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi ultimately failed to materialise, and there are some concerns that the Reds may find themselves short at the back over the coming months.
McManaman shared some of these concerns but was delighted with the business done elsewhere, telling Sports Mole: "Now that it's Alexander Isak we'll wait and see what sort of impact he will have, but they needed another body up front. They could have done with another defender, to be very honest.
"I know they brought Leoni, but I think they needed another one with a bit more experience. We'll wait and see how Isak settles, but there is no doubt that Liverpool needed a forward, just to help them, to boost up the squad ahead of the season."
Defenders Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni were all signed this summer, and there is an expectation that Liverpool will return for Guehi either in January or when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Steve McManaman was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of bet365, Official Global Partner of the UEFA Champions League. This season, bet365 will be once again running the Big Ticket Giveaway game giving fans the chance to win tickets to every single UEFA Champions League match starting with the Round 1 ballot which opens on 31st August. Registration Required. T&Cs Apply, 18+. GambleAware.org
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