Liverpool are tracking Real Sociedad ‘battering ram’ Alexander Isak, according to local newspaper Noticias de Gipuzkoa, who is reportedly viewed as a replacement for Roberto Firmino.
The Reds are in the market to improve their attacking options after a season that saw Mo Salah carry the bulk of the attacking responsibilities, scoring 31 goals and assisting 6 in all competitions.
Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino showed improved form at the end of the season and while that’s promising, Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri are set to leave the club and will need to be replaced.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Divock Origi of Liverpool celebrates with teammate Xherdan Shaqiri after scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield on December 04, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
I’d argue that Liverpool need two forwards but certainly cannot do without signing at least one with centre-forward an area of priority.
What does Noticias de Gipuzkoa say about Isak?
The Basque newspaper claims that Liverpool have been tracking Isak and have been really impressed by his form this season and want to sign him as a replacement for Firmino “in the not too distant future.”
His release clause is set at €70million (£60m) which surely means that if Liverpool can’t negotiate a lower fee then they won’t be pursuing him.
In La Liga, Isak scored 17 goals in 34 games which averages out to one goal every two games which is fantastic.
Still only 21, he has a lot of promise although there will be some concerns regarding whether or not he is suitable for a team with Liverpool’s style of play.
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 21: Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad scoring goal during the La Liga Santander match between Real Sociedad and Deportivo Alaves at Estadio Anoeta on February 21, 2021 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Standing at 6ft4, he is surprisingly quick and definitely way more agile than you’d expect but he’s not exactly the high-pressing machine that Roberto Firmino has proven to be in recent years.
Isak, Vlahovic, Malen or Daka?
Dusan Vlahovic is also a target for Liverpool and is arguably the best finisher out of the lot but is also an expensive option given that Fiorentina don’t want to sell him but he has shades of Erling Haaland to his game.
Donyell Malen and Patson Daka make the most sense for a number of reasons but first and foremost, their versatility would be extremely valuable to Jurgen Klopp.
The German likes players that can play a number of roles as it gives him tactical fluidity.
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – DECEMBER 20: Patson Daka of Salzburg during the tipico Bundesliga match between FC Red Bull Salzburg and RZ Pellets WAC at Red Bull Arena on December 20, 2020 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Josef Bollwein/SEPA.Media /Getty Images)
For instance, signing Daka from RB Salzburg for around £17million would give Liverpool a centre-forward capable of scoring over 30 goals a season as well as a lightning-quick player capable of playing on either wing.
He’d give most fullbacks nightmare with his pace and the same can be said of Malen.
Unless Liverpool are changing their style of play dramatically, Isak isn’t the best fit for the Reds even if he is a fantastic striker with instinctive finishing.
