Jamie Carragher explains why he really doesn’t want Liverpool to sign Alexander Isak
Liverpool’s transfer saga surrounding Alexander Isak seemingly has no end.
Despite all of the Reds’ spending so far this summer, Arne Slot is still keen to upgrade his squad.
As a result, Isak has been heavily linked to Liverpool after another fantastic season at St. James’ Park.
However, after a bid from the Merseyside club was rejected, Isak has since stated his intention to never play for Newcastle again as the saga heats up.
Now, Jamie Carragher has weighed in on the transfer saga as the end of the window approaches.
Jamie Carragher: Hugo Ekitike is too good to be a Liverpool understudy
On of the major issues surrounding the Isak saga is how Slot is going to be able to get the Swede into his team.
So far, Liverpool have brought in multiple attackers this summer to complement their attack, including Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
While some stars have now been sold by Liverpool such as Luis Diaz, it is still going to be a difficult task to get all of these players into the starting XI, especially if Isak is to join this contingent.
This is where the root of Carragher’s issue with the saga lies, believing that Ekitike is simply too good to be the understudy to Isak.
- Ekitike was signed by Liverpool for a fee that could be worth £82.4million this summer
He told Stick to Football Podcast on 14 August: “The more I look at it now because Liverpool obviously want Isak. The reason I’m not, it’s not about him as a player. I do worry about how robust he is to sort of play twice a week for Liverpool.
“I just think when you spend £80m on another striker who Liverpool think is going to be the next Isak in Ekitike, he started really well, it’s only pre-season.
“I don’t know what you’re saying there Roy about competition of places, but I think when you break a British transfer record, which will be £130m, £140m, that player plays virtually every game. He only doesn’t play when he’s injured.
“I would say, would that be fair if you spend that type of money on someone? Who is that good?
“The backup then, he’s not backup, he’s an understudy for me at Ekitike, and he’s too good and too expensive to be there.”
- Read more: How Liverpool said goodbye to every player this summer after frosty Alexander-Arnold send-off
Hugo Ekitike vs Alexander Isak
The debate between Ekitike and Isak will rage on throughout the season, whether the Swede joins Liverpool or not.
However, as it stands, Fbref on 14 August believes the Frenchman had a stronger campaign last season.
| Stats from the 2024/25 campaign per 90 minutes | Alexander Isak | Hugo Ekitike |
| Non-penalty goals | 0.62 | 0.48 |
| Shots | 3.10 | 3.74 |
| Non-penalty xG | 0.56 | 0.60 |
| Assists | 0.20 | 0.29 |
| Expected assists | 0.14 | 0.25 |
| Shot-creating actions | 3.00 | 3.50 |
| Passing completion | 75.3% | 75.3% |
| Successful take-ons | 1.37 | 1.90 |
| Touches in the opposition penalty area | 6.17 | 6.73 |
Many of Ekitike’s stats are better than Isak’s in multiple areas.
Yet, it must be remembered that the Premier League is considered a tougher division compared to the Bundesliga, which may have inflated these stats.
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