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Newcastle United Alexander Isak has made it clear he wants to move to Liverpool(Image: 2025 Newcastle United)

Liverpool do require Alexander Isak to secure the Premier League title next season.

It comes after Liverpool had an opening offer in the region £110m rejected.

The Swedish international will be absent from the Magpies' concluding two pre-season fixtures this weekend.



Eddie Howe's side face Espanyol tonight (August 8) and Atletico Madrid on Saturday (August 9) at St James' Park.

READ MORE:Arne Slot responds to Alexander Isak transfer and Liverpool centre-back questions - 'As you know'READ MORE:Alexander Isak to Liverpool transfer twists set to emerge as £46.3m exit drops major hint

Newcastle are reluctant to permit Isak's departure before securing a replacement.

But their hopes of achieving that this week took a further blow but when primary target Benjamin Sesko make it clear he was opting for Manchester United.

That means the Magpies' striker search continues with Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson, Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and Brentford's Yoane Wissa all linked reports Chronicle Live.

Nevertheless, former Liverpool and England shot-stopper David James has cautioned his former club that a record-breaking transfer pursuit of Isak could unsettle their squad - and that they don't require him to defend the title in the forthcoming campaign.

Speaking at the launch of Final One Standing by William Hill, James said: "Liverpool don't need Alexander Isak to win the Premier League.

"It's possible for a team to be blessed with too many riches - and it can end with disappointing results.

"I know it's important not to attach too much importance to pre-season fixtures, but Liverpool look like a well-balanced side full of confident players.

"If they were to sign Isak, one immediate benefit would be that it would significantly weaken Newcastle.

"But that's not the difference between winning the Premier League or not - it wouldn't make them any stronger favourites than they already are."

The Reds finished 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal last season and have strengthened their squad with the arrivals of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Mamardashvili, a £29m arrival from Valencia, has been brought in to replace Caoimhin Kelleher, who has joined Brentford, and provide cover and competition for Liverpool No.1 Alisson Becker.

And James said: “Alisson is still the best goalkeeper in the world.

I know Gianluigi Donnarumma had an amazing season with Paris Saint-Germain, he delivered top performances in a lot of big games but didn’t necessarily perform consistently in Ligue 1.

“Alisson does pick up a few injuries though, and that can open the door for Giorgi Mamardashvili.

If he gets an opportunity, Mamardashvili can keep Alisson out of the team.

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“Mamardashvili had a difficult season last year with Valencia, they were in the bottom three in La Liga for a long period of the campaign, but that wasn’t down to his performances.

“Caoimhín Kelleher was a fantastic deputy to Alisson, but Mamardashvili will be coming to Anfield with the confidence that he can be the new No1.

“He’s got the ability to push Alisson and from Arne Slot’s perspective, he will be able to pick from two superb keepers.”


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