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Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak continues to be linked with a summer move to Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)

Former goalkeeper David James reckons Liverpool need striker Alexander Isak if they are to capture silverware domestically and across Europe.

The ex-England international acknowledges the forward might not represent "the most viable signing" given Newcastle's £150million valuation, yet the Reds' sustained pursuit of the Sweden international demonstrates how highly they rate his potential contribution.

Prising Isak away from St James' Park won't be simple, despite the player missing his teammates' pre-season trip to South Korea and privately expressing his desire for an Anfield switch to those close to him.

Nevertheless, James insisted Liverpool will have conducted thorough research and understand precisely what impact he could deliver to a squad that secured the Premier League title in head coach Arne Slot's debut campaign, yet fell frustratingly short in the Champions League.

"Arne is in the most wonderful position to be able to have to defend titles," James told the PA news agency after surprising a St Helens walking football team as part of an initiative run by Carlsberg.

"Liverpool will give it the best they can, but there is a bigger carrot of 'can you be dominant in Europe?' Bringing in someone like Isak is not the most viable signing, but when you want to be achieving on multiple levels then you are going to need that squad.

"If Isak comes in – if – then it will be because Liverpool will feel they need him rather than having the money just to get someone.

What is interesting here is when you look at (Mohamed) Salah last season, he scored the goals but his assist numbers were what got me.

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"How much influence he has on players to be better than the numbers they were recording last season will be exciting – and that includes Isak if it goes through.

"These players are coming into an environment where they are at least expected to improve and as Liverpool are currently Premier League champions then improvement would be adding another trophy hopefully."

Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, have embarked on a spending spree this summer, with nearly £300m bringing in club-record signing Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.

All are under the age of 24 and have helped lower the age profile of the squad while also being a long-term investment.

While Isak would be the summer's standout signing, there are worries Liverpool could be leaving themselves short at centre-back with Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez – who returned home from the Far East to have treatment on an injury – the only senior players for that position.

They have been linked with Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi, who has a year left on his contract, but currently have not made any move.

It might be something that happens in January.

"The end of the Champions League campaign is naturally when you come up against better teams and your defensive issues can be called into question.

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"I imagine they will have so much success anyway they won't feel they have to desperately go out and buy someone and looking at the signings there doesn't appear to be any desperation so far."

David James partnered with Carlsberg to surprise members of the St Helen's Walking football team, forming part of the brewer's initiative to give more people access to the more of the best.

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