Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final defeat against Newcastle United served only to highlight the issues that need addressing this summer.
The Reds looked shattered at Wembley, with too many players either ran into the ground or simply not good enough.
Unfortunately, the latter looks to be the case for Liverpool’s central striking options.
Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez were once again well below their best as the Reds scrabbled around in vain against Newcastle.
On the other side, Alexander Isak showed why Liverpool want to sign him. Isak was not especially involved for large periods, but popped up with a clinical finish which ultimately won the game.
Reports have been filtering out that Liverpool could go big on Isak during the summer market. And according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Reds have already made the first move towards a deal.
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle fans will be desperately hoping that Isak will stay with them this summer. However, it feels as though the 25-year-old could very much be preparing to leave.
While winning Sunday’s trophy was obviously fantastic for the club, perhaps for a player like Isak he will now feel as though his job with the Magpies is done.
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Should he decide he wants to move on, it sounds as though Liverpool will be right in the mix to sign him.
Speaking on his YouTube channel on Monday afternoon, Romano says the Reds have indeed already been in touch with Isak’s people about the prospect of a summer move to Anfield.
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“Big, big massive proposals will come to the table for Alexander Isak,” says the transfer expert. “Arsenal will be there, they want Isak. Sesko is the other name on the list but for sure Isak and Sesko are the two main names.”
“Liverpool are also there, they already made some contact with people close to the player. So, both clubs are interested. For Arsenal he’s the absolute top target, for Liverpool he’s one of the names they are considering in that position, so we will follow the situation.
“Newcastle keep insisting on their position to continue with the player,” Romano adds. “But we know when there is important money on the table it is sometimes about the financial fair play and all these kinds of things.”
Liverpool must make certain on Isak
Both Liverpool and Arsenal are in clear need of a new striker this summer and it’s obvious why they’d both love to sign Isak.
The Sweden international has been sensational this season and is currently one of the best and most complete number nine’s in world football.
However, that will obviously come at a cost. For Newcastle to let Isak go it’s surely going to cost well north of £100m.
In that case, Liverpool are going to have to be absolutely sure that he is their man. Isak has a worrying injury history and any deal for that kind of money will be a gamble as a result.
But if Liverpool can get Isak fit and firing, he could equally be the missing piece to the Arne Slot puzzle. A big summer certainly lies ahead.