Liverpool are on the verge of completing a Premier League record deal to sign Alexander Isak but it not a mistake spending so much on the Swede despite suggestions to the contrary.
As it is, Liverpool have already spent a club record amount of money this summer and are prepared to almost double their investment so far with moves for Isak and another centre-back.
The Reds first shocked the football world with their £116m move to sign Florian Wirtz and are now set to break the bank for Isak. Not to mention the £79m investment into Hugo Ekitike and deals for Kerkez, Frimpong and Mamardashvili.
They mean business but there are understandably concerns over the wisdom of such a summer splurge given their history of reserved spending.
Luis Garcia shares reservations over FSG greenlighting mega money move for Isak
Former Liverpool forward Luis Garcia has raised his own concerns about the transfer and wonders whether or not it’s step too far for a club that has already spent over £300m this summer.
“I’m not sure on the price-tag,” Garcia told ESPN. “I was talking about him at Real Sociedad and the development of the player has been incredible. But the price I think is really, really high.
“It’s not that you’re a team who needs a centre-forward to score 30, 35 goals, you already have a player like that on the right side [Mohamed Salah], and you’ve got a lot of players who can score double figures.
“I think Isak is a fantastic player and of course he will give you something extra, but I’m not sure spending that money on a striker right now is the best thing for Liverpool.”
Not only can Liverpool afford it but it solves a big problem that will present itself in two years
The problem? Mohamed Salah will more than likely leave the club for free in 2027 when his recent contract extension expires.
Liverpool are now at the top of the European football food chain (maybe not the pinnacle but they’re up there again) and when Salah leaves, it would be hugely beneficial to have his replacement already bedded in.
Of course, Isak is not a winger but in terms of replacing his goalscoring, there isn’t a better player available. The only Premier League player that comes close to matching Salah’s output is Erling Haaland and he obviously isn’t ever going to be available to Liverpool.
So in signing Isak, Liverpool replace Salah’s goalscoring and in signing Florian Wirtz, they replace his creativity.
There aren’t many players – if any – that can match every single strength Salah has and so Arne Slot needs two players to do the two jobs the Egyptian King does so well; scoring and assisting.
Not to mention that even after signing Isak, Liverpool have the funds to make more signings. Isak is actually the perfect signing at the perfect time.
Not only does he future-proof Liverpool for an era without Salah but also makes sure that FSG can maximise on what are likely his last two years at Anfield.