Arne Slot to axe three summer signings: How Alexander Isak fits into Liverpool's best starting XI
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Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media
Edward Bazeley
Tue 2 September 2025 9:57, UK
Liverpool boss Arne Slot is tasked with fitting transfer deadline day signing Alexander Isak into his starting 11.
At the end of a busy summer transfer window, Liverpool smashed the British transfer record fee to sign Isak on Monday, 1 September in a deal worth £125million.
The Reds have started their Premier League title defence well by earning three consecutive wins over Bournemouth, Newcastle United, and Arsenal.
Meanwhile, before acquiring former Newcastle hotshot Isak, Liverpool signed fellow striker Hugo Ekitike, who is in good form for the Anfield giants.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media
After establishing himself as one of the best strikers in Europe via his Newcastle performances, Isak appears set to shine for the Reds.
The Sweden international performed particularly well last term, firing the Magpies to Carabao Cup glory and notching 27 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions.
Meanwhile, fellow summer signing Ekitike has already shown his class for Slot’s men by scoring three goals in four competitive outings.
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However, to get the best out of Isak, the Merseyside outfit may have to drop Ekitike from their starting lineup and accommodate the Sweden star alongside Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.
Elsewhere in Slot’s lineup, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are set to remain as the main centre-back pairing after Liverpool’s move for Marc Guehi fell through on deadline day.
Consequently, summer signing Giovanni Leoni will have to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench.
Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai has performed admirably well in the right-back spot amid Jeremie Frimpong’s injury, and the Netherlands international could struggle to get back into Slot’s team.
Liverpool’s best starting XI
Football Insider verdict
There is no doubt that Isak will overtake Ekitike as Slot’s main striker this term, as the 25-year-old should thrive alongside Salah and Gakpo, having already proven his prowess at Newcastle.
Alexander Isak statsPremier League 2024/25Appearances34Goals23Assists6Isak excelled for Newcastle
However, the former Magpies man has not yet integrated into the Liverpool squad, while he is set to represent Sweden during the international break.
Contrastingly, Ekitike has hit the ground running for Slot’s men and is already linking up well with fellow attackers like Salah.
Meanwhile, Isak’s pre-season was heavily disrupted by the fact that he did not attend Newcastle’s tour to Asia, as he forced his move to Liverpool.
Furthermore, the former Sweden man refused to train for Eddie Howe’s side in recent weeks, meaning he will take some time to reach match sharpness.
Therefore, while Isak is set to displace Ekitike as Slot’s first-choice striker, he may have to wait a few weeks before being selected as a starter.
Meanwhile, football commentator Ian Darke weighed in on what starlet Rio Ngumoha can bring to the Reds in a Liverpool News 247 exclusive.