Alexander Isak is expected to have a big impact on the Carabao Cup final.
The Swedish striker has been in the form of his life this season and Newcastle fans are relying on the 25-year-old to end their trophy drought at Wembley on Sunday.
The fitness of Isak was in question ahead of the EFL Cup finale, however, the Magpies ace was always going to be available to face Liverpool.
His presence became even more important following the suspension of Anthony Gordon, who will miss Newcastle’s match with Liverpool after picking up a red card in the Magpies’ FA Cup clash with Brighton earlier this month.
Isak will be very motivated ahead of the Tyneside club’s trip to Wembley and it is another opportunity for the Swedish talent to show Arne Slot what he can do.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Alexander Isak doesn’t fear Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
Given his performances this season at Newcastle, Liverpool have become interested in Isak and will look for a way to bring the striker to Anfield this summer.
The arrival of the 25-year-old would be huge for the Reds and they may fund the transfer by selling Darwin Nunez to Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to the media ahead of Newcastle’s match with Liverpool on Sunday, Isak showed the Premier League leaders another reason why they should do everything to bring the forward to Merseyside.
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Isak was asked a question about Virgil van Dijk, who many regard as the best defender in the sport, with the 25-year-old stating that he doesn’t fear any defender on the planet having scored against the Dutch star already this season.
“I wouldn’t say I fear anyone. That’s a strong word,” Isak told reporters via Reuters ahead of facing the Liverpool captain at Wembley.
“I have a lot of respect for Van Dijk and their whole defence. I’m a player who always focuses on myself. If I do the right things and play my best game, it’ll benefit the team.
“It’s not me against one player. It’s Newcastle against Liverpool. It’s a team sport. It comes down to what we do as a team and I will obviously try to use my qualities to make us better.”
Liverpool should break the bank for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak
This is the type of mentality Liverpool need in a striker and working with better players around him, the 25-year-old could go to another level at Anfield.
Isak has scored 22 goals, alongside producing five assists, across 32 games for Newcastle this season but the Swedish talent is more than just his numbers.
Player Games Goals Assists
Alexander Isak 32 22 5
Mohamed Salah 42 32 22
Cody Gakpo 39 16 5
Luis Diaz 41 13 5
Diogo Jota 28 8 3
Darwin Nunez 39 7 7
How Alexander Isak’s 24/25 stats compare to Liverpool’s forwards
The Magpies star fits the mould of number nine Slot wants, as in addition to his goals, the striker can drop deep and create for his wingers, which is what Luis Diaz has been doing with the Premier League leaders for the majority of the season.
A transfer for the 25-year-old will cost interested clubs a lot of money and should it come down to it, Ian Wright feels Isak will pick Liverpool over Arsenal should both clubs move for the Newcastle ace.
Whatever Newcastle want Liverpool should pay it as Isak could be the Merseyside club’s striker for many years and given how perfect he is for Slot’s system, there is no way the transfer would be a failure.