Jamie Carragher expects Liverpool to eventually secure Alexander Isak despite Newcastle United rejecting their £110 million bid for the Swedish striker. The Liverpool legend believes the Premier League champions will return with an improved offer and ultimately succeed in bringing Isak to Anfield before the transfer window closes.
Liverpool's opening bid fell short of Newcastle's expectations, with the Magpies seeking closer to £150 million for their star forward according to reports. Newcastle do not want to sell Isak at all, but the transfer saga continues as Liverpool's interest remains strong.
Isak himself is keen on the move and has not participated in Newcastle's pre-season fixtures or training sessions with the main squad as the transfer saga continues. The Swedish international's absence from team activities underscores his desire to join the Premier League champions.
Carragher's prediction and concerns
Asked if he thinks Isak will be at Anfield by the end of the summer, Carragher told Sky Sports: "I think he will be, I think Liverpool need to sign two attacking players, I think they will go back with another bid, whether Newcastle accept that... But it doesn't feel like at this moment other names are getting bandied about, so I think Isak will be in a red shirt."
The former Liverpool defender expressed worries about how Isak's potential arrival might affect Hugo Ekitike, who joined from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79 million this summer. Carragher believes the two strikers would struggle to play together effectively.
"Arne Slot said he can play on the left, he can play in a front two. It's hard to play the two of them up front. Wirtz is the No 10, he's the £115m man - he needs to play every game. So would Isak, so Ekitike would be filling in," said Carragher.
Squad planning challenges
Carragher continued his assessment of the potential signing's impact: "I don't think Ekitike would ever fulfil his full potential at the club if someone like Isak is there. If Isak comes in, Ekitike would be an understudy. And £80m is not a lot of money for an understudy."
Arne Slot has confirmed Liverpool's need for additional attacking reinforcements following recent departures and the tragic loss of Diogo Jota. The Dutch manager sees Ekitike as versatile, capable of playing multiple positions.
"I see Hugo mainly as a number nine who could also play from the left or play together with another number nine," Slot told Sky Sports. "It's clear that with Darwin gone and Luis Diaz gone, and even last season we have five or six options, I think, Diogo, I need to mention him as well. So we need to have one more attacker, at least."
Ekitike has made an impressive start to his Liverpool career, scoring in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace and netting on his Premier League debut against Bournemouth. Despite this early promise, questions remain about his role if Isak arrives.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Metro", "Independent" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
