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Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer believes that Liverpool has glaring issues that must be resolved defensively, amid its pursuit of striker Alexander Isak.
Liverpool has heavily pursued Isak this summer, and Newcastle rejected a bid worth $146 million from the Premier League champions. Liverpool has already spent $106 million on Hugo Ekitike this transfer window, a player Newcastle intended to sign.
It's been an exciting summer window for Liverpool, as Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez have all been acquired alongside Ekitike. However, despite being linked with Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, Shearer is concerned about Liverpool's depth in the center-back role.
Liverpool's starting center-back partnership is among the best in world soccer. Virgil van Dijk is still world-class at age 34, and Ibrahima Konate continues to improve with each season following his arrival in 2021.
Behind them, though, are Joe Gomez and Rhys Williams. Gomez has made 137 Premier League appearances for Liverpool across 10 seasons, but has never held down a consistent role.
Williams is only 24, but all nine of his league appearances came during an injury-ridden 2020-21 season. Since then, he has been sent on loan five times, but he did make 33 appearances for Morecambe last season in League Two.
While the offensive targets are exciting for Liverpool, Shearer believes the club should prioritize a center-back. "Looking at Liverpool, there are still a few questions defensively, and I'd guess that center-half is still a position that they want to fill, certainly with added numbers because they are light in that position," he told Betfair.
"It wouldn't surprise me if they're in the market for another centre-half. There'll be even more money spent by the big clubs come the end of the transfer window."
Liverpool remains keen on breaking the British transfer record to sign Isak, but for Newcastle to grant his release, the club needs to sign a replacement. However, the window has been disastrous for the club.
When Newcastle signed Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for $74 million on July 10, optimism was high. Since then, Newcastle has seen pursuits of Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, Ipswich striker Liam Delap, and Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo fall through.
All three players opted for moves elsewhere in England, and Liverpool hijacked Newcastle's pursuit of Ekitike. After Newcastle finally saw a bid accepted for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United turned his head with a late approach.
If Newcastle cannot sign a new forward, then it's likely that Isak will remain at the club next season. However, given his desire to leave the club, which has forced him to train alone, head coach Eddie Howe must resolve the situation before the start of next season.
"The biggest thing they have to do is, somehow, sort the Isak situation out - and if they can't get anyone in, I guess that means he isn't going anywhere," Shearer added. "Eddie will have to be at his persuasive best to try and turn Isak's head around because it has been turned in terms of him wanting to go to Liverpool.
"On the proviso that he does want to go and Eddie can't turn his head, then you get the money. But prior to that, you have to get people in to replace him."
Newcastle also released back-up striker Callum Wilson, meaning 22-year-old William Osula is the only center-forward on the roster besides Isak. Even if Newcastle does sign a new striker before the end of the window, Shearer is concerned about the club's inability to attract new players.
"Whether that has anything to do with Newcastle's lack of business and the number of players that have said no to them, I don't know. It's not a good look."
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