Liverpool have been one of the most active teams on the summer transfer market in the Premier League after winning the title last season, and that level of ambition has lit a fire undernearth one of world football’s most passionate fanbases.
The Reds last won the league title in the 2019/20 season and suffered a couple of heartbreaks afterwards, including losing a second Champions League Final to Real Madrid in the 2021/22 season, which meant their incredible season went unrewarded in terms of silverware.
In fact, Liverpool haven’t won the Champions League since 2019, and after falling to eventual champions PSG in a heartbreaking exit relatively early in the knockout rounds, the Reds have shown their intent to win all the silverware possible in 2025/26 with the signings of Bundesliga superstars Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.
But Arne Slot and Liverpool aren’t done just yet. The Reds have shown significant interest in Newcastle star striker Alexander Isak, who is quite literally holding out in order to force his way out of Newcastle and into the arms of the Premier League champions.
Arne Slot has eyes on one man in particular
There have been some skeptics in the media who wonder if Liverpool really need another striker or even have the space for one after spending big to sign one of Europe’s best young strikers in Ekitike.
Slot has made it clear that he intends to sign another attacking player, delivering this quote at the press conference ahead of the Premier League season opener against AFC Bournemouth: “I see Hugo mainly as a No.9, that could also play from the left or together with another No. 9. We need to have one more attacker at least.”
The “at least” part is especially striking, but no matter how Slot spins this quote, the Dutch coach very much wants another forward in his ranks, and he heavily implies that he wants a No. 9’s No. 9 at Liverpool – and the futher implication there is that Isak is the one he wants as the counterweight to title rivals’ star striker Erling Haaland.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2011. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has contributed to sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. Joe’s work has appeared in ESPN, Bleacher Report, and Sports Illustrated. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling, respectively.