Alexander Isak to continue quirky Liverpool tradition as links strengthen with second division Dutch team
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Liverpool fans are still giddy with excitement after their club secured the signing of Alexander Isak on transfer deadline day.
The Reds had been chasing Isak for much of the summer, and from day one it had felt like a virtually impossible deal to do.
But thanks to some controversial behaviour from the Swedish striker, and Liverpool never wavering from their pursuit, the Reds finally made Isak their record signing on Monday.
There will naturally be pressure on the 25-year-old to succeed at Liverpool, and there will no doubt be glee from all corners if he does not.
Premier League proven and with time still to get even better, though, Isak looks about as sure a bet as it is possible to place.
And, as it turns out, the Sweden international may have a good luck charm in his favour, too.
Having previously played for Dutch side Willem II, Isak is following in the footsteps of some of the best players in Liverpool history.
Photo by Geert van Erven/Soccrates/Getty Images
Isak has travelled a fairly rocky path to end up at Liverpool.
Isak fits that bill.
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Another good example is Virgil van Dijk, who was still playing for Southampton at 26.
But despite his obvious prowess, the Dutchman was released by Willem II in 2010, 11 years after joining.
Amazingly, the Dutch side also once employed arguably Liverpool’s second best centre-back of the Premier League era, and another man who wore the armband at Anfield: Sami Hyypia.
Hyypia had more success than Van Dijk, spending four years in Tilburg, playing 105 times for the first team.
In 1999, Liverpool then came calling.
In following Hyypia and then Van Dijk from Willem II to Liverpool, Isak will hope he can go on to share in the success the two defenders enjoyed on Merseyside.
Interestingly, it is not only Hyypia, Van Dijk and now Isak who have links to Willem II and Liverpool.
Another Premier League winner, Kostas Tsimikas, spent the 2017/18 season on loan with the Dutch club from Olympiacos.
PlayerYears at Willem 11AppearancesGoalsJoined LiverpoolSami Hyypia1994-9910531999Virgil van Dijk1999-2010002018Kostas Tsimikas2017-183662020Pedro Chirivella2017-183502013Alexander Isak201918142025
Tsimikas had a good season, playing 36 times, scoring six goals and laying on four assists.
The left-back was joined in the team by Pedro Chirivella who himself was on loan in Tilburg… from Liverpool.
Willem II have since fallen on hard times and, after being relegated last season, now find themselves in the second division.
But Liverpool fans would perhaps be wise to keep an eye on any players excelling with the Tricolores.