Liverpool ended their sensational summer transfer window with the British record signing of Alexander Isak.
The Swede arrived at Anfield in a £125 million deal from Newcastle United, becoming the second player this summer that Liverpool signed for over £100m.
It proved to be one of the most talked-about and drawn-out sagas of the transfer window as the Magpies insisted Isak was not for sale after rejecting the Reds’ opening offer of £110m.
And although Liverpool missed out on Marc Guehi on deadline day after Crystal Palace pulled the plug on the deal at the final stages, Arne Slot finally got his dream signing in Isak.
Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesIan Rush welcomes Alexander Isak to Liverpool
Following the official confirmation of the British record transfer, Liverpool took to Instagram to showcase Isak as a Reds player.
Liverpool legend Ian Rush wasted no time welcoming the 25-year-old to Anfield, responding to the post: “Welcome home.”
Isak essentially did everything in his power at St James’ Park to force through a transfer to the Reds, and he reaffirmed his desire to leave after the Swede held a meeting with PIF, Newcastle’s owners.
This followed Isak’s bombshell public statement during the PFA Player of the Year awards, in which he stated in no uncertain terms that he would never play for Newcastle again, suggesting that the club had broken its promises.
Nevertheless, Isak is now a Liverpool player, and Slot can now plan for the rest of the season with his new centre forward.
The Reds, of course, also have Hugo Ekitike to consider – the Frenchman has hit the ground running at Anfield, and Slot will have a welcome headache as he figures out how to include both his new strikers in the starting lineup without sacrificing his tactical setup.
Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak can play together at Liverpool
Slot has reiterated in the past his desire to have versatile players at Anfield, and he now certainly boasts a fluid first-team squad.
Ekitike likes to drift out to the left flank and cut inside, as seen when he opened his Liverpool account in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace.
Cody Gakpo has also enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign, but now the Dutchman could soon lose his place in the starting lineup with Ekitike moving to the left flank to accommodate Isak through the middle.
Regardless, Liverpool have an undeniably exciting frontline for the first time since Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah ran rampant under Jurgen Klopp, and no matter who starts against Burnley, the depth is unlike anything ever seen before at Anfield.