Liverpool confirm signing of striker even BETTER than Alexander Isak

Liverpool landed their dream striker target on transfer deadline day. Alexander Isak arrived from Newcastle in a new British record deal - £125m - following a prolonged chase.

Arne Slot was determined to upgrade his striking options - even after the 2024/25 Premier League title win. Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz shared No9 duties last season alongside the late Diogo Jota but improvements were deemed to be required.

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Isak was the first name on the list drawn up by sporting director Richard Hughes - even if before the window his signing looked somewhat fanciful.

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A prohibitive price tag - said originally to be £150m - and a contract expiring in 2028 meant that Isak might have been out of reach.

Liverpool end up with Isak AND Ekitike

But Liverpool persisted - attracting Isak with the prospect of competing for the biggest honours and eventually breaking Newcastle’s resolve.

And the Reds also managed to nab the Geordies’ preferred Isak replacement. Earlier in the summer Eddie Howe’s side opened talks for Hugo Ekitike - the Eintracht Frankfurt striker who’d just enjoyed a breakout season.

But the lure of St. James’ Park was no match for what was on offer at Anfield. An initial £69m deal was swiftly agreed. Ekitike has hit the ground running this season - and the prospect of pairing him with Isak is certainly an alluring one.

And according to Liverpool insider Lewis Steele the club actually think he could become even BETTER than Isak.

The Swede, 26, has scored consistently in the Premier League since arriving from Real Sociedad in 2022. Ekitike has a lot to live up to - but his numbers reveal a striker who can compete with the very best in the world.

Ekitike could be even BETTER than Isak

“When looking at his numbers last term, Liverpool noted he was the standout striker across Europe for everything but goals scored,” the report reads.

“They believe his strike rate in front of goal will regress to the mean and they would rather invest in a player who is on the up.

“He is an all-round forward who has already demonstrated his ability to drop deep and create goals as well as score them, something to delight Slot who grew tired of Nunez’s one-dimensional game at times.

“It was noted inside Liverpool upon signing the Frankfurt striker that although Isak was more of a surefire and popular option, Ekitike might end up being just as good if not better.”

So Liverpool could well have landed themselves a £69m bargain. This report proves once and for all that it was never going to be either Isak or Ekitike. The plan was both.

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