Richard Hughes has got a new PRIORITY at No9 after Isak setback

Sunday was a dramatic day in the race for Champions League qualification.

Although Liverpool’s place in the European showpiece event has long been secure, other teams were in doubt about their participation in the 2025/26 edition right until the last moments of the season.

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Among those competing for a spot at the top table were Newcastle. And although the Magpies LOST on the final day of the season - at home to Everton - they managed to sneak in via a fifth-place finish in the Premier League.

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Their fortune owed a lot to Aston Villa being beaten by Manchester United at Old Trafford in controversial circumstances - and the knock-on effects are set to have a big impact on Liverpool.

Newcastle qualify for Champions League

Had Villa qualified ahead of Newcastle then it could well have meant that Alexander Isak would be leaving the North East.

Now established as one of the world’s leading frontmen, Newcastle would have struggled to keep hold of the Swede without Champions League participation.

Liverpool were among the leading contenders for the 25-year-old, who scored 23 Premier League goals last season.

Newcastle were thought to be willing to accept around £150m for their star attraction but now it appears he will be content to remain at St. James’ Park for another while at least.

That means Liverpool having to look elsewhere for a No9 and their chase could now take them back to the Bundesliga. That’s according to Sacha Tavolieri, who claims that Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike is back on the menu.

Liverpool to move for Ekitike

However, the Sky Sports journalist adds that before Liverpool add a new striker, Darwin Nunez will have to first take his leave.

“As David Ornstein told, Alexander Isak’s now set to stay in Newcastle after they qualify for Champions League,” he wrote on X.

“Liverpool now focus on… Hugo Ekitike as target for the number 9 position in case of Darwin Nuñez leaving for Saudi Arabia or Spain.”

Liverpool paid £85m for Darwin back in 2022 when signing him from Benfica. They will be looking to recoup a significant percentage of that fee before letting the Uruguayan leave with Ekitike valued at around £84m by Frankfurt.

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The 22-year-old hit 15 goals and got eight assists in the German top flight last season and now looks destined for the next step in his career.