One Premier League match done, 37 to go. Liverpool kicked things off with a win, as is often the case in the first round of a top-flight season, but the 3-1 victory over Bournemouth wasn’t entirely convincing.

The Cherries exposed some underlying issues in Arne Slot’s system, though there’s no reason to sound the alarm bells, especially with Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi joining to help tighten up the defensive line.

Ryan Gravenberch’s return from suspension will bring additional balance and stability to the Reds’ midfield, but it’s the attack that’s now under the spotlight, with depth clearly lacking as the transfer window winds down.

With that in mind, it’s no surprise to hear that Liverpool are still looking to strengthen their options at the top end of the pitch before deadline day.

Liverpool still chasing forward additions

Hugo Ekitike has made an electric start in a Liverpool shirt, scoring stunning goals against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield and again versus Bournemouth on the Premier League’s opening weekend.

However, with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez both sold and Diogo Jota tragically passing away, Liverpool are alarmingly short of depth in the final third, and Slot could land a game-changer if FSG seal the summer’s most in-demand name.

You’d be right to guess that the player in question is Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, and according to an update from TEAMtalk, Liverpool are preparing a new bid after having a £110m offer turned down earlier in August.

Isak, 25, is reportedly refusing to train with Newcastle, and Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the club offered him a new contract including a release clause active from 2026 in an attempt to convince him to stay.

Still, this hasn’t dissuaded the Reds, with reports claiming Michael Edwards has returned from a meeting with FSG in Boston, where Isak’s pursuit was a major talking point.

Blockbuster deals, dramatic turns and high-profile flops. Welcome to the epicentre of transfer rumours and debate at Football FanCast.

Isak only wants Liverpool and has made it known, releasing his first personal statement on the matter since speculation erupted on Tuesday night.

How Isak stacks up against Ekitike

Liverpool might have already smashed the British transfer record this summer, with the £100m fee paid for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz potentially rising to £116m through bonuses.

Isak would top even that, with sources close to Newcastle valuing the £120k-a-week forward around the £150m mark.

Sporting director Richard Hughes will try to negotiate a lower fee, but there’s little chance FSG will get him without breaking records. Still, Isak would be worth every penny—perhaps an even better signing than Ekitike.

Eintracht Frankfurt banked £79m from Liverpool for the French striker in July, and Ekitike’s early form suggests Slot may have struck gold.

But while Ekitike is raw and unproven across a whole season at a top club, Isak has already earned praise as “the best striker in the world” last term, per BBC Sport’s Raj Chohan.

A more reliable scorer with similar pace and physicality, Isak is the benchmark Ekitike is striving to match with his development at Anfield.

Creative and instinctive, Isak has also been hailed by Newcastle keeper Nick Pope, who said the Swede “can be like a wizard” with the ball at his feet.

He’s also shown lethal consistency over back-to-back seasons in the Premier League, making a compelling case as one of Europe’s elite strikers.

Isak’s Last Two Premier League Seasons

Stats (* per match)

23/24

24/25

Games (starts)

30 (27)

34 (34)

Goals

21

23

Assists

2

6

Touches*

26.8

33.3

Shots (on target)*

2.4 (1.4)

2.9 (1.4)

Big chances missed

21

18

Passing accuracy

80%

77%

Big chances created

5

11

Key passes*

0.9

1.2

Dribbles*

1.4

1.2

Ball recoveries*

1.3

1.6

Tackles + interceptions*

0.4

0.5

Duels won*

2.4

2.8

Via Sofascore

Ekitike may be Liverpool’s only recognised centre-forward at the moment, but recruiting Isak would be a transformative addition. Both have the athleticism to co-exist, but there’s no doubt who’d lead.

Isak would be the star man in Liverpool’s attack, and despite the higher price tag, he’d be a bigger, more influential signing than Ekitike—a testament to the attacking firepower Slot is assembling.