Alexander Isak Joins Liverpool, Intense Competition Colors Liverpool's Front Line

LIVERPOOL, MONDAY – After a prolonged drama, the future of Alexander Isak was finally resolved on the last day of the player transfer window. Liverpool has become the next destination for the Swedish national team striker. With numerous options in the forward position, Manager Arne Slot faces the challenge of managing the depth of Liverpool's attacking line.

"Newcastle United have reached a full agreement with Liverpool for the sale of Alexander Isak. The Swedish international striker will undergo a medical on Monday," wrote The Athletic journalist David Ornstein in his report on Monday (September 1, 2025).

Liverpool has agreed on a transfer fee of 130 million pounds (Rp 2.8 trillion). Isak is bound by a six-year contract. The transfer fee for Isak breaks the record for the highest transfer in the Premier League. Previously, this record was held by Enzo Fernandez, who moved to Chelsea from Benfica for 106 million pounds (Rp 2.3 trillion) in January 2023.

Two years later, Enzo's record was broken by Liverpool when they purchased winger Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116 million (Rp 2.5 trillion). This record, however, did not last long following the transfer agreement for Isak.

Isak has indeed been reported to no longer wish to continue his career at Newcastle. The 25-year-old forward had previously hinted at wanting to leave Newcastle and does not wish to rejoin the squad. Isak has been absent from Newcastle's first three matches of the season and has been training separately from the other squad members since July.

They (Liverpool) believe Isak is the most complete number nine player and he will provide them with the greater depth they desire in the front line.

At the beginning of this season, Isak was sidelined from the team during the preseason tour in Asia. At that time, Newcastle stated that Isak's absence was due to a minor thigh injury. The time he had after not participating in the preseason tour was used by Isak to "consolidate" his move from Newcastle. Isak was also known to maintain his fitness by training independently at the training center of his former club, Real Sociedad.

The transfer drama surrounding Isak shows no signs of resolution even after the new season has begun. Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe, has still not included him in the three opening matches of the Premier League, including during the 2-3 defeat against Liverpool at home.

Isak joined Newcastle for a transfer fee of £60 million (Rp 1.3 trillion) from the Spanish club Real Sociedad in 2022. Last season marked the peak of his performance while wearing the Newcastle jersey, scoring 23 goals in 34 appearances in the Premier League. His goal tally was only surpassed by Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah, who netted 29 goals. Isak played a significant role by scoring to help Newcastle win the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool last March.

The presence of Isak undoubtedly adds depth to Liverpool's attacking line following the departures of Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, and Luis Diaz. Previously, "The Reds" had already brought in Hugo Ekitike, who plays the same position as Isak.

“They (Liverpool) believe Isak is the most complete number nine and he would give them the depth they crave in attack,” said The Athletic’s Liverpool correspondent, James Pierce.

Thus, the competition in Liverpool's front line will become even more interesting considering there are already attacking instinct players such as Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Harvey Elliott, and Cody Gakpo.

The depth of the squad is like a double-edged sword for manager Arne Slot. He indeed requires many players in each position to navigate a busy schedule. However, the problem arises when he must choose the best to occupy a single position.

In the first three matches, Slot consistently employed a 4-2-3-1 formation, which means there is only one central striker to be played. The position of this forward will be contested by Ekitike and Isak.

If it is to accommodate both playing together, Slot could consider placing Ekitike as a complete replacement for Diaz, who usually operates on the left wing.

Ekitike has only played nine matches, two of which as a starting player, as a left winger. Thus, the left wing position is not entirely unfamiliar to Ekitike. Moreover, he tends to frequently shift to that side, especially throughout the 2023-2024 season.

The slot has often utilized wingers such as Gakpo and Diaz to break through the opponent's defense through their dribbling skills. This aligns with Ekitike's abilities. In the Bundesliga last season, Ekitike recorded 126 dribbling attempts, placing him in the top five rankings.

Of the 126 attempts to drive the ball, he concluded 44 of them with shots on goal. Ekitike also contributed eight assists and ranks fifth in attacking involvement.