With the final international break of the season fast approaching, it’s almost time for Liverpool to solidify their summer transfer plans.
The Reds still have huge question marks over what exactly they’ll need during the window, with the futures of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold not yet clear.
While what happens with those three players will no doubt inform what Liverpool do, it will not have a bearing on the fact that they need a new centre-forward.
As the season has progressed, it has become abundantly clear that the Reds have to take action at number nine.
Darwin Nunez is set to leave and given the Uruguayan’s difficult time at Anfield, it should be very possible for Liverpool to find themselves an upgrade.
Right now, one of the most lethal players out their in terms of a central striker is Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. And with Liverpool heavily linked with Isak, former Reds defender Jamie Carragher has delivered his verdict on Arne Slot spending £150m for the Swede.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Jamie Carragher not convinced on Alexander Isak
Isak has been in terrific form for Newcastle over the past two seasons. As Liverpool gear up to meet the Magpies in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, he remains the danger man.
Ahead of the Wembley showpiece this weekend, Carragher sat down with The Redmen TV to deliver a tactical analysis of what to expect during the game.
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Talk soon turned to the threat of Newcastle and Isak. But, while Carragher talked up the 25-year-old, he also played down talk that Liverpool could spend so big on a player who is not always fit.
“That is the one little question mark against him, he’s not someone who plays every game,” said the pundit. “He’s not.”
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“And that’s when I think about Liverpool, me, personally, all round, I’d still have Haaland. I think there’s a mentality about Haaland, he’s just got that killer instinct.”
“When you talk about paying £150m, for a 25-year-old, I don’t know if that’s something Liverpool would rightly look at,” Carragher continues.
“In terms of ability wise you’d love him to play up front for Liverpool and you’d pay good dollar for him, but we just know as well as anyone the model of Liverpool, I don’t know if they pay that for someone who’s 26 next season.”
What’s the latest on Isak to Liverpool?
We tend to agree with Carragher here, there are some injury related red flags over Isak which would be difficult for Liverpool to ignore when paying such an enormous fee.
Appearances Goals Assists
Premier League 25 19 5
FA Cup 2 1 0
Carabao Cup 5 2 0
Slot might back himself to keep the former Real Sociedad hitman fit and available, but there are no guarantees on that front.
Nevertheless, all the signs point to the fact that Isak is a genuine target for Liverpool.
A lot will seemingly depend on where Newcastle finish in the Premier League table and whether they qualify for next season’s Champions League.
As that remains in the balance, this is definitely one to keep an eye on heading into the transfer window. But, we’re with Carragher, it just doesn’t quite feel like a transfer Liverpool have historically done.