Liverpool are looking to retain their title but they face stiff competition to do so.

The Reds have had a hugely successful summer so far and put themselves in the best position possible to win the Premier League again.

Liverpool fans will, of course, be optimistic, especially as their transfer business is not finished just yet, with both incomings and outgoings still expected.

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However, Reds legend Mark Lawrenson still believes there is one signing they still need to make in order to go back-to-back.

Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images

Liverpool wanted a striker all summer and after signing Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, that appeared to be the end of the story.

However, Alexander Isak then decided that he wants to leave Newcastle and handed in an unofficial transfer request, meaning the Reds were put back on red alert.

They are now waiting patiently for the Magpies to give them the green light, with Lawrenson believing that this transfer needs to happen if the Reds are to retain their title.

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“I would possibly argue and say no,” Lawrenson told talkSPORT when asked if Liverpool would win the league without Isak.

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“This is because the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, they are all strengthening a lot so I would say no to be honest with you.

“I think the competition for places though is really, really healthy and if Isak comes in now, well he’s going to be amazing and it would probably be, if he signs, the best squad the football club has ever had for me.”

The stance from Newcastle has been that they will not even consider selling Isak until they have found a suitable replacement, or maybe even a few given the quality the Swede possesses.

However, with Benjamin Sesko now appearing to be close to a move to Manchester United instead, it is back to the drawing board for the Magpies as their search continues.

Not only is this bad for them, however, but it is bad news for Liverpool too as their move for Isak has been delayed even further, something far from ideal given how close the new season is.

Newcastle still have a shortlist of options so they are expected to move on if Sesko does not join, but this could be a saga that drags out right until the deadline.


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