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Arne Slot last week told Alexander Isak to try to model his game on Ousmane Dembele, the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner.
The Paris Saint-Germain star collected the award in the French capital on Monday, beating the likes of Mohamed Salah to the top individual prize in world soccer. While many felt the Egyptian deserved to be crowned Ballon d’Or winner, none can argue that Dembele enjoyed a fantastic campaign in 2024/25.
He scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists as PSG won the treble, including the Champions League. He also provided a huge role defensively, and his pressing clearly made an impression on Slot.
In fact, the Liverpool head coach said he wants his attackers to employ some of the traits demonstrated by the new Ballon d’Or winner.
Asked last week what Isak’s biggest challenge is after signing for Liverpool, he responded: “Getting fit after missing out four months of proper team sessions.
“Speaking about Paris Saint-Germain, I don’t think anyone is surprised that I was mainly impressed by the way they press,” he added, having previously mentioned the side that eliminated Liverpool from the Champions League last season.
“Ousmane Dembele was one of the examples; he was so outstanding in his pressing game.
“So everybody is focused on Paris Saint-Germain, about all the goals they score, but I was mainly impressed by the way they pressed.
“The moment [Isak is] fit, match fit, and can play 90, the next step is playing three times in a week 90 minutes, and then the next step is going one step further in terms of pressing.
“That’s what he has to do, and scoring goals, doing special things in attack, that is something he will 100 percent sure do.”
Isak could be handed a second Liverpool start on Tuesday when Liverpool takes on Southampton in the Carabao Cup third round, and will begin to justify his record-breaking price tag if he can replicate Dembele’s level of performance
Speaking after winning the Ballon d’Or, Dembele said: “I have received this award from one of the biggest legends of all time [Ronaldinho], I can't believe this. This is an award thanks to the collective.
"I want to thank all my team-mates. I want to thank FC Barcelona, the club of my dreams. I played with Lionel Messi, I want to thank him too, I learned so much from him. To have been able to play with Lionel Messi... I have learned so much from him.
"I want to thank [Didier] Deschamps. Let's hope we can win the World Cup too. I want to thank my hometown Eure. Every time I get the chance I go back.
"The people in my neighbourhood helped me to this moment. To my mother, I want to thank you - you have always been there for me, mama.
"To my family, we have experienced so much together. We have been through it all. We will always be together.”
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