Virgil van Dijk reveals what he told Alexander Isak to do before his Liverpool debut
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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has clarified that Alexander Isak’s £125 million signing from Newcastle United is a direct replacement rather than an additional player for the squad, filling the gap left by departures such as Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz. Van Dijk emphasized that the club needed to replace key players they lost, and while the transfer fee is substantial, it is beyond the team's control. He acknowledged the external pressure due to the large fee but focused on Isak's potential impact rather than financial concerns.
Isak, who missed much of Newcastle's preseason to push for his transfer to Liverpool, was not fielded in Liverpool’s recent win over Burnley but is expected to feature soon, possibly in the Champions League opener against Atlético Madrid at Anfield. Liverpool manager Arne Slot suggested Isak would likely not play the full 90 minutes initially as he regains fitness.
In a separate interview, Van Dijk playfully dodged questions about a private conversation with Isak following the Carabao Cup final earlier in the year, teasing that he might reveal details in two to three years. This moment underscored that Van Dijk, at 34, might be nearing the final years of his Anfield career.
Meanwhile, Isak has recently returned to action for Sweden after a period of absence linked to his transfer issues. Although he has yet to score for Liverpool, the club hopes that Isak and fellow new signing Hugo Ekitike can revitalize Liverpool’s attacking prowess following struggles last season with Núñez.
PP