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The moment there appears clarity in Liverpool's attempts to remould their attack, so the waters are muddied shortly afterwards.

Such has been the case during the last 24 hours, with the Reds moving towards a conclusion in their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

Talks reached a breakthrough on Monday with a deal agreed that will see Liverpool commit £79million to sign the France under-21 international forward.

But as the finer details were being thrashed out, along came comments from the representative of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, who has long been courted by the Reds as a potential new signing.

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Speaking in an interview with Saudi Arabian publication Arriyadiyah, Gonzalo Gaitan said: "We are indeed studying and analysing all options, and we may be close to finalising the next step for the player, without revealing any details regarding whether Isak will transfer or stay with Newcastle."

So much for playing down speculation that increased after Newcastle boss Eddie Howe decided to send Isak home from the weekend friendly at Celtic rather than have him sit in the stands and attract attention, the Sweden international having been left out due to not quite having sufficient fitness to feature in the 4-0 defeat.

The situation of Isak is a fascinating one.

Newcastle's owners remain steadfast they won't the player sell this summer and are realistically under no financial pressure to do so, and are still keen to offer Isak a lucrative new deal.

But the longer that stays unresolved, so the player could have his head turned.

And Liverpool are on alert.

Could there then be a world in which the Reds sign both Ekitike and Isak?

The real sticking point would be the fact Ekitike and Isak both prefer to play as a central striker, a position in which Slot has consistently selected just one player in recent years.

Sure, options are necessary given the likely greater rotation the Liverpool boss will utilise this coming season.

But would Ekitike agree to join Liverpool if he knew Isak was going to be following him through the Anfield entrance?

Slot will have his vision for what he wants from his players, which helped persuade Florian Wirtz to jump on board last month.
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