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Following one of the most dramatic transfer sagas in Premier League history, Alexander Isak secured his move to Liverpool on deadline day.
A British record sum of $169 million was required to prise the Swedish striker from Newcastle, and the forward will be aware of how his arrival has been received by various Liverpool squad members, including Mo Salah and Hugo Ekitike. All attention will be on Isak this weekend as his debut could potentially arrive this Sunday against Burnley.
Whilst Arne Slot has cautioned supporters against anticipating Isak to feature in "every single game, 90 minutes on the pitch" in the immediate future, it's believed he might play a minor role having featured for 18 minutes with Sweden during the week.
Isak is joining a Liverpool attack currently in transition. Liverpool splashed the cash this summer with Florian Wirtz and Ekitike arriving after Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez departed. The passing of Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car crash in July, also created a gap in Slot's squad.
Liverpool has begun the new season positively, securing three consecutive victories in the Premier League, but rivalry is anticipated to be fierce within the Reds' attacking line.
What does Hugo Ekitike think about Alexander Isak?
Asked about Isak’s arrival, the former Frankfurt star, 23, was welcoming of the challenge. "It’s fun," he said. Ekitike added: "When you play for the best teams, you expect to be competing with the best players.
"Isak is a player I’ve watched too, so seeing him arrive is a pleasure. It’s going to be tough competition, but I’m going to focus on performing well so that it’s a problem for the manager."
What does Mo Salah think about Alexander Isak?
Although Salah has not yet publicly commented on Isak's arrival, the Egyptian forward was asked for his opinion on his Fantasy Premier League price with just a week to go until the start of the 2025/26 season. In response, he revealed his admiration for Isak.
Salah said: "First of all I want you guys to put my price down so everybody can have me in the team. I said that... before, I'm telling you in a video. Put my price down and that's it.
"Now I am the highest. No! Put the strikers the highest. Haaland should be the highest. Isak should be the highest. So not a winger has to be the highest."
What does Arne Slot think about Alexander Isak?
Ahead of the tie against Burnley, Slot shared his thoughts on Isak, admitting that he was still familiarizing himself with his new striker. "Maybe people don't believe me if I give you this answer but I haven't spoken to him that much," Slot said in a press conference on Friday.
"So, I spoke to him after he signed by phone because he had to go to the national team. Although we find it very important how someone is because we have such a great culture here at this club, we mainly sign a player also for his qualities and therefore I don't need to call them. We faced him a few times, I faced him a few times, and I know what a quality player he is."
Whilst the reigning champions seem to be heading in the right direction, there remain issues to address. One such matter is Liverpool's completely revamped attacking line learning to gel together, a concern that is presently troubling Salah.
"So far I didn't figure the connections out yet," said Salah of the club's new strike force. "Like with Darwin or Lucho [Diaz] or the guys they used to play in front, or Diogo. I knew where to start with Diogo or Darwin. I know where to find them. I knew their game very well but with Hugo he's still new."
Liverpool's refreshed frontline will now be hoping to find its rhythm as the Reds target four victories from four when they travel to Turf Moor on Sunday.
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