Newcastle knocked back Liverpool’s Alexander Isaac’s bid, but Jamie Karager feels the situation for the Swedish striker is comparable to the state he’s played for Tottenham in the past
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carrager compared the situation for Alexander Isaac to the situation facing Tottenham’s Harry Kane when evaluating the Reds’ transfer options. Arne Slot’s side had already seen the Newcastle striker’s bid already knocked back and was still able to sign a deal before the transfer window closed.
The questions heading for Karager are about the first forward brought to Anfield in the slot this summer. Hugo Ekitike has yet to make his Premier League debut, but could be relegated to backup before the ball gets kicked in the new season.
Carragher asked how happy the French frontman would be in the new situation, even if he was used in a wider advance role than the middle. However, he also recognizes that finding an ambitious and capable backup for one of the best No. 9 in the league is a difficult question.
“£80 million is too much to pay for backup,” Carragher wrote on social media. “Where is Ekitique in his position, and where does he put it in his position, rather than fading it by placing him on the left?
“When we spent 115m on (Florian) Wirtz, it’s difficult to play together. And yes, we need to buy more attackers!”
read more: Transfer News Live: Sesko agrees to Nunez near the exit of Man Utd Deal, Jack Grealish Offer and Liverpoolread more: Harvey Elliott issues an emotional statement when Liverpool’s transfer exit is complete
When one fan proposed that Ekitique’s versatility would make his case different, critics were not convinced. “When you have top strikers like (Erling) Haaland/Kane, it’s very difficult to back up quality because they play all the time,” he said.
“The Spurs never backed up for Kane. Newcastle couldn’t keep him happy and had to be sold by injury-prone Callum Wilson & Man City.”
Isak returned to Newcastle after spell training with former club Real Sociedad, but was distressed from bonding sessions on the club’s training ground. Less than two weeks before the new season began, manager Eddie Howe asked for a record-breaking signature to be held accountable before being incorporated into the group.
“Players are responsible for being a team and part of the team here and you have to act the right way,” Howe said. “No player can behave poorly and expect to train in groups as normal.”
Newcastle attempted and failed to attack the attack this summer. Many targets have selected other options. Joan Pedro chose Chelsea instead of the Magpie, but Ekitique also rode the club’s radar before eventually choosing Liverpool.
Howe has been added to his team, with winger Anthony Elanga and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale joining from Nottingham Forest and Southampton, respectively. But the remaining big questions relate to whether he is a Newcastle player in the season-opening match against Aston Villa on August 16th.
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