Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is surprised by the club's heavy expenditure in the summer transfer window and has had his say on their pursuit of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United applauds the fans as he warms up prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Everton FC at St James' Park on May 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United applauds the fans as he warms up prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Everton FC at St James' Park on May 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak has apparently made it clear he wants a move to Anfield(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher has told Liverpool not to spend £150million on Alexander Isak. The Reds legend believes the Premier League champions are being forced to splurge “Kylian Mbappe money” on the Newcastle striker, suggesting that Isak isn't worth the price-tag.
Liverpool have already spent in excess of £250m on new talent this transfer window, with the possibility of that total soaring up to £400m should they make an increased bid for Isak.
There is undoubtedly a buzz among supporters at the prospect of Isak joining a forward line that already boasts Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and new signing Hugo Ekitike, who recently arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m. However, Carragher has doubts over the potential move despite being an admirer of Isak.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet, Carragher said: “He (Isak) will be an amazing signing but from a fan’s point of view for myself, I don’t want Liverpool to spend £150m on Isak. There’s something about Liverpool buying another striker (Ekitike), and he’s backup. Something about it doesn’t feel right to me.
“I look at Isak, and he’s obviously thrown his toys out the pram once Arsenal signed a striker and Liverpool signed a striker. It feels a bit messy to me now.
"For me, when I think of Liverpool, it doesn’t look really planned. I don’t think the plan is to buy a striker for £80m, and then be looking to buy another one for £120m.
Jamie Carragher discusses Alexander Isak
Jamie Carragher doesn't think Isak is worth £150m
“In terms of what Liverpool have done in the summer by bringing in players, they’ve spent a lot of money and it doesn’t feel like the Liverpool way of doing things so much.”
The former centre-back also voiced his concerns by reiterating that Liverpool shouldn’t overpay for Isak. He admitted he doesn’t view the Swede as being on the same level as some of the world’s best players, such as Mbappe, who cost PSG £166m to sign from Ligue 1 rivals Monaco back in 2018, before eventually losing him on a free last summer to Real Madrid.
Carragher said: “£150milllion for me feels like Mbappe, you should be getting Mbappe for that amount.”
Kylian Mbappe with Xabi Alonso
Jamie Carragher made comparisons to Kylian Mbappe when discussing Alexander Isak's potential move to Liverpool
As well as Ekitike, Liverpool have signed Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. And with Isak reportedly having told Newcastle he wants to move to Anfield, it looks like another big name will soon be on the way to Anfield.
Paul Scholes offered a different take from Carragher onThe Overlap, suggesting that Isak's arrival would be a significant statement of intent by Liverpool. Scholes said: “I agree that the planning seems weird to me, what they’ve done with Ekitike.
“They didn’t spend anything last summer though, so there is that money there. “But the ambition now is to be the best in Europe, and if you bring Isak into it, he is the best centre forward in the world at this point.
Hugo Ekitike was playing in front of Liverpool fans for the first time on Monday
Liverpool paid Eintracht Frankfurt £79million for striker Hugo Ekitike
"You (Carragher) say as a Liverpool fan you’d feel uncomfortable spending £120million for him. Well, as a United fan, I’d spend £150million on him.
"When you win the league, a lot of teams relax, but when we (Manchester United) won the league, we go again. We bought our Rio Ferdinands, Wayne Rooneys, your Dimitar Berbatovs, and you bring more quality. Liverpool have done that."
When probed on who he fancies to lift the 2025/26 Premier League title, Scholes admitted: "I can't look past Liverpool. I still think they need a centre-half though, because if one of them gets injured it could be an issue."
Arne Slot's reigning champions are set to begin the new Premier League campaign by hosting Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday, August 15.