After enduring the summer of all summers at Anfield, Liverpool could still miss out on their top target amid interest from Real Madrid, who beat the Reds to Jude Bellingham back in 2023.
Isak delivers emphatic Liverpool statement
Alexander Isak was made to wait, but eventually he got his move. Arriving on deadline day in a deal worth around £125m, the Swede finally got his wish and will now be looking to go from a player on strike to a player back in action at his very best.
Joining Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo on Arne Slot's list of attacking options, there's a strong argument that Liverpool now have the strongest frontline in all of Europe. As such, it came as no surprise that Isak instantly set his sights on creating history in Merseyside.
“Me getting the chance to be a part of this, I want to create history. I want to win trophies. That’s ultimately the biggest motivation for me and I feel like this is the perfect place for me to grow even further and to take my game to the next level and help the team as well.
“I feel like this is the next step for me in my career. I’m super-happy that I’ve been given this chance and I’m very motivated to do something well with it.”
Without their new star striker, Liverpool have not even got out of first gear but remain the only side in the Premier League with a 100% win record. Slot's side needed late winners against Bournemouth, Newcastle United and, most recently, Arsenal as their rivals quickly became sick of the sight of the champions before the international break.
Alexander-Isak-Newcastle
Alexander Isak, while still at Newcastle
Now, those same rivals will be dreading the impact that Isak could make. It must be said, however, that he wasn't the only top target on deadline day and after Liverpool hesitated, they've seemingly allowed Real Madrid to swoop in.
Real Madrid now eyeing Marc Guehi move
As relayed by reports in Spain, Real Madrid have now set their sights on signing Marc Guehi on a free deal when his current contract expires next summer. The defender looked destined for Anfield on deadline day after a deal was agreed and medical completed, before Crystal Palace pulled the plug in ruthless fashion.
Leaving the door for rivals to make their move when his contract expires, Liverpool could suffer an all too familiar hijack at the hands of Real Madrid. Of course, it wasn't so long ago that the Spanish giants jumped ahead of the Reds to sign Jude Bellingham - who has thrived ever since - and pried Trent Alexander-Arnold away from Anfield this summer.
Liverpool should be desperate to avoid a repeat and secure the arrival of Guehi once and for all, either in January or next summer. Described as "calm and composed" by former Manchester City defender Micah Richards, the Crystal Palace defender looks set to have a big decision to make when the time comes.