Collymore’s column: Alexander Isak’s Liverpool debut, Ruben Amorim, West Ham problems, and more
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Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has given his reaction to Liverpool’s pursuit and eventual signing of Alexander Isak, highlighting the significant impact the transfer could have on English football. Collymore noted that Isak’s decision to push for a move away from Newcastle United—a club he helped achieve recent successes—marked a clear shift in the player’s career trajectory, with Liverpool emerging as strong favourites to secure his signature for the 2025-26 season. This transfer would mean a record British fee of around £125 million paid by Liverpool, underlining the club's ambition to strengthen its attacking options after a challenging season with Darwin Núñez as first-choice striker.
Collymore praised Isak as a world-class striker capable of transforming Liverpool’s attacking threat in the Premier League. He pointed out Liverpool’s successful acquisitions of not only Isak but also Hugo Ekitike during the summer transfer window, emphasizing the potential for these talents to elevate Liverpool to new heights. Though Isak had faced criticism for his transfer saga, including accusations from Newcastle insiders claiming he deliberately underperformed to force a move, Collymore defended the player's integrity, condemning such allegations as baseless and unacceptable.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s position in the Premier League title race was also addressed, especially regarding their failure to secure Isak. Former Arsenal defender Gael Clichy confirmed that the club wanted to sign Isak but found the player's price beyond their reach. Arsenal opted instead for Viktor Gyokeres, a different style of forward, which Clichy felt might not fully align with Arsenal fans’ expectations or the style needed for a title challenge. Despite not landing Isak, Arsenal remains confident in their squad strength and continues to challenge Liverpool in the title race, according to journalist Charles Watts. Watts highlighted that Liverpool’s signing of Isak solidifies them as favourites but does not make the title a foregone conclusion, with Arsenal capable of mounting a serious challenge going forward.
In international play, Isak recently returned to action with Sweden, impressing despite limited minutes and a brief on-field altercation, demonstrating his competitive edge. Liverpool, having invested heavily, are keen to integrate Isak quickly to maximize his impact in the Premier League this season.
PP