“There Will Be Interest…” – Paul Gorst On Potential ‘Direct Replacement’ At Liverpool | OneFootball

By James Cranford

There was late heartbreak for Liverpool in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park earlier this week, as James Tarkowski’s stoppage-time stunner rescued a point for Everton.

The Reds are still very much in control of their own destiny, but face a tricky spell of fixtures which culminates in a visit from in-form Newcastle United on February 26th.

The Magpies boast one of Europe’s hottest properties in Alexander Isak, whose fantastic goal opened the scoring in the reverse fixture. The 25-year-old is believed to have a price tag of well over £100 million, but could the Swedish international be in for a taste of his new home when he steps onto the Anfield turf?

LFC legend Jamie Carragher suggested as much in this week’s edition of The Overlap. He believes Isak would prefer to join Arne Slot’s side over Arsenal, should they land the biggest prize in domestic football. He said:

“If they win the league and Isak is going to leave, surely you pick the team who wins the league?”

TEAMtalk added further fuel to the fire earlier this week, suggesting Liverpool’s Champions League status and potential to win trophies could be the key to sealing a deal.

On the latest episode of our Journo Insight show, we asked Liverpool Echo’s LFC correspondent Paul Gorst for his thoughts on the Isak links.

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Paul said: “In terms of bringing players to the club this summer, the number nine is the one that I feel is going to need the most work, the most attention.

“Diogo Jota – fitness has been a major issue across his entire – as of now – nearly five years at Liverpool.

“Darwin Núñez – very hit and miss. The end of the season will be three years into his Liverpool career and I think we know what we’re getting from Darwin Núñez week to week.

“Does Isak come into that category, that conversation of game-changing player, who we’re going to go and break the bank for? I think he’s a fantastic player. I’d love to see him leading the line for Liverpool next season.

“Arsenal are in a similar boat to Liverpool, in more of a desperate boat really – they absolutely do need a number nine, so there will be interest in Alexander Isak, I suspect. I’d love Liverpool to be part of the conversation.

“There’s been talk of Darwin Núñez interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, hasn’t there? AC Milan certainly keeping tabs on the situation, and I think if Liverpool are open to offers this summer, he could bring in a decent amount of money that could go towards a direct replacement.”

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Redmen Reacts

Now well into his third season with Newcastle United, Alexander Isak looks to be the ‘next cab off the rank’ in terms of Europe’s top-level strikers. He is on track to surpass the impressive 21 Premier League goals he nabbed last year, and seems to have put the worst of his injury issues behind him. With respect to a historic and well-supported club such as Newcastle, Isak is now ready to test himself at a club that can challenge for the Champions League, and where better than the club that came top in this season’s UCL league stage?!

As with most Liverpool transfer links, cost would likely be the biggest barrier. Under FSG, Michael Edwards has shown he was prepared to break the bank in the past with the successful signings of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson. Two years ago, the club were turned down by Moisés Caicedo after having a nine-figure bid accepted by Brighton. Would they be prepared to outlay an even higher sum for Isak? Much depends on the outcome of the contract negotiations of the ‘big three’ at Liverpool. If one or more are left – especially if one of those players is Mo Salah – then perhaps the potentially transformational signing of Isak would be considered.