Carabao Cup final: Isak’s goals and assists record for Newcastle v Liverpool
Liverpool will have to stop Newcastle United star Alexander Isak if they are to win the Carabao Cup final.
The Reds are plotting a move for the Swedish forward in the summer transfer window as Arne Slot seeks to revamp his Liverpool attack.
The 25-year-old has notched 19 goals and five assists in 25 Premier League matches so far this season and will be hoping to deny the Merseysiders a double in spectacular fashion in the Wembley showcase.
Isak boasts impressive record v Liverpool
Newcastle striker Isak is a constant danger for any team that comes up against him, but he boasts a particularly good record against the Anfield outfit.
In five Premier League outings against the Reds, he has bagged three goals and an assist, including a stunning strike in the 3-3 draw on 4 December.
The Merseysiders will hope that he is not able to improve on that when the sides meet at Wembley on Sunday (16 March).
Liverpool have to deny Isak
Transfer talk will go out of the window in the final; the focus will be solely on containing the Sweden star, who has been in electric form.
If Liverpool are to win their first trophy of the Slot era, the Reds will need Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate to be on top form.
| Stats (Premier League) | Van Dijk | Konate |
| Matches | 29 | 23 |
| Started | 29 | 22 |
| Ground duels won | 69.4% | 68.1% |
| Aerial duels won | 71.2% | 75% |
The duo are two of the best centre-backs in world football and have taken their partnership to a new level this season, so if anyone can keep Isak quiet, it is the Reds pair.
It promises to be a fascinating tactical battle in London, one in which Slot will hope that his defenders can come out of top.
If they do manage to do that, they stand a great chance of continuing their pursuit of a double in the Dutchman’s first season after replacing Jurgen Klopp, with a commanding lead at the summit of the Premier League.
It would represent a brilliant maiden campaign on English shores, and if they can strike a deal for Isak in the summer, then they will have every chance of a successful sophomore season under the former Feyenoord man.