Whether Alexander Isak could start for Liverpool vs Burnley as clear plan emerges
Liverpool fans will be eagerly awaiting the long-awaited debut of their new club-record signing, Alexander Isak.
The Reds’ chase for the Swede lasted throughout the summer until on deadline day, Liverpool agreed a deal with Newcastle United to sign Isak.
The agreement was a record transfer fee for the Premier League, with the Reds set to pay £125million for the talented forward.
Isak is expected to go straight into Arne Slot’s best XI, and is set to partner up with £69m signing Hugo Ekitike, who arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer.
The 25-year-old’s actions have been heavily analysed over the past months, but Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres has publicly supported Isak’s actions.
Alexander Isak likely to start on the bench vs Burnley
Isak revealed in August that Newcastle had broken promises made to him regarding a potential transfer this summer, and declared that he would not return to training.
Whilst ultimately forcing the Magpies’ hand in negotiations with Liverpool, that does mean the striker will arrive at Anfield lacking match fitness.
Isak is currently training with the Sweden national team, but his participation in his nation’s fixtures is not yet clear.
- Isak’s last match came on 25 May, when Newcastle lost to Everton.
- The striker reportedly trained with Real Sociedad and away from Eddie Howe’s squad.
Lewis Steele reported on Thursday 4 August that the plan is for the forward to report to training following the international break on 11 August.
The journalist expects that Isak will then be ready to take a place on the bench for the trip to Burnley on 14 August, with his debut presumably expected in the second half.
How will Liverpool set up once Alexander Isak is ready?
How Slot will set up once Isak is fit and firing was already a topic of great discussion, even before the striker was pictured in Liverpool red.
Ekitike has started the season in brilliant form, scoring three goals and providing an assist in his four appearances for the Reds so far.
Likewise, Cody Gakpo has looked to place himself firmly in his manager’s thinking by starring against Bournemouth and Newcastle.
| Liverpool – Forwards | Natural position |
| Alexander Isak | CF |
| Hugo Ekitike | CF |
| Federico Chiesa | RW |
| Mohamed Salah | RW |
| Cody Gakpo | LW |
| Rio Ngumoha | LW |
One of the two will likely miss out once Isak is ready, however, and the unlucky recipient of the bad news may well be the Dutchman.
In his few matches so far, Ekitike has demonstrated a natural tendency to drift the left when making runs, which could prompt Slot to keep the Frenchman there and deploy Isak through the middle.
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