Why 'ruthless' Alexander Isak is actually going to be Virgil van Dijk 2.0 at Liverpool - opinion
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Liverpool will sign Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak on transfer deadline day after agreeing a fee with the Magpies.
The Reds have been keen to buy Isak throughout the summer having identified him as the best option to lead their forward line into a new era.
And despite a long drawn out transfer saga, Liverpool will finally get their man at the very last minute.
It is a huge moment for Liverpool and sporting director Richard Hughes, who has smashed the Reds’ transfer record twice in the same window.
But, clearly, the Liverpool owners – and Arne Slot – think Isak is worth it.
The Swede has hit 44 Premier League goals over the last two seasons and is heading into his prime.
And although the two players are very different in terms of profile, there are signs that Isak can ultimately be Liverpool’s new version of captain Virgil van Dijk.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Newcastle supporters’ desire to see their club sell Isak outside of the Premier League has been obvious all summer.
They did not want to strengthen a top club in their own division.
And while some have voiced predictions that Isak will treat Liverpool the same way he has treated them should a Real Madrid or a Barcelona come calling, that seems unlikely.
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Isak only wanted Liverpool this summer, much like Van Dijk would not entertain any other offers when he joined in 2018.
The Dutchman joined as the most expensive signing in Liverpool history, just like Isak, and had also recently turned 26, which is the birthday the Reds’ new signing will celebrate in three weeks’ time.
While in modern-day football transfers this makes the two players something akin to veterans, Van Dijk’s success has shown that it can absolutely be worth going big on a player in his peak.
When the centre-back joined Liverpool after a long journey to the top of the game, he also seemingly decided that this was it for him; he would stay with the club for as long as possible, no matter any other offers on the table.
And while Newcastle fans will be hoping he one day jumps ship from Liverpool, Isak will sign a six-year deal with the Reds.
He is hopefully in it for the long haul.
When Van Dijk was brought to the club from Southampton, he immediately had an impact on Liverpool’s defence.
That has never faded or waned.
YearsClubAppearancesGoals2015-2017AIK29132017-2019Borussia Dortmund1312019Willem II (Loan)18142019-2022Real Sociedad132442022-2025Newcastle United10962Alexander Isak’s road to Liverpool
Slot will be hoping that the same will be true of Isak, just at the other end of the pitch.
Eddie Howe deemed Isak to be a ‘ruthless’ striker during their time together, and there is no reason the Sweden international cannot translate that to Liverpool.
The Reds were in a different place when Van Dijk arrived, and it may arguably be harder for Isak to be a transformational addition to a forward line which already contains Mohamed Salah.
However, Salah’s time with Liverpool will not last forever.
In Isak, Slot has found the continuity plan fans were craving.