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THURSDAY | JULY 31, 2025

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‘Reds need Isak’ Magpies striker can help Liverpool win multiple trophies, says former keeper James

Ű BY CARL MARKHAM

signing Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. All are under the age of 24 and have helped reduce the age profile of the squad while also being a long-term investment. While Isak would be the summer’s marquee signing, there are concerns Liverpool could be leaving themselves short at centreback with Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez – who returned home from the Far East to have treatment on an injury – the only senior players for that position. They have been linked with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who has a year left on his contract, but currently have not made any move. James, however, is not too concerned at present. “You’d think their offence will always be better than the opposition’s defence and they will be able to out-score other teams except for the occasional game,” he added. “The idea Liverpool have to have the best defence would be wonderful, but I don’t think they have to rush into buying someone. It might be something that happens in January. “The end of the Champions League campaign is naturally when you come up against better teams and your defensive issues can be called into question.

(Mohamed) Salah last season, he scored the goals but his assist numbers were what got me. “How much influence he has on players to be better than the numbers they were recording last season will be exciting – and that includes Isak if it goes through. “These players are coming into an environment where they are at least expected to improve and as Liverpool are currently Premier League champions then improvement would be adding another trophy hopefully.” Liverpool’s owners

League in head coach Arne Slot’s first season, but came up disappointing short in the Champions League. “Arne is in the most wonderful position to be able to have to defend titles,” James said. “Liverpool will give it the best they can, but there is a bigger carrot of ‘can you be dominant in Europe?.’ “Bringing in someone like Isak is not the most viable signing, but when you want to be achieving on multiple levels then you are going to need that squad.

F ORMER goalkeeper David James believes Liverpool need striker Alexander Isak to be able to win trophies at home and in Europe. The ex-England international admits the forward may not be “the most viable signing” due to Newcastle’s £150 million (RM870m) price tag, but the Reds’ long-term interest in the Sweden international shows how valuable they think he could be to them. Extricating Isak from St James’ Park will be far from straightforward, even though the player has not joined his teammates for their pre-season tour of South Korea and is privately telling people he wants to move to Anfield. The Magpies had maintained that Isak is not for sale and although manager Eddie Howe admits he is not in “full control” of the player’s future, he says Newcastle have not yet received a bid for their top scorer. “He is still our player. He’s contracted to us,“ Howe said at a news conference in Seoul. “We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us.

“If Isak comes in – if – then it will be because Liverpool will feel they need him rather than having the money just to get someone. “What is interesting here is when you look at

Fenway Sports Group have undertaken an unprecedented spending spree this summer with almost £300 million (RM1.75b) bringing in club-record

“I imagine they will have so much success anyway they won’t feel they have to desperately go out and buy someone and looking at the signings there doesn’t appear to be any desperation so far.” – The Independent/ Agencies

“My wish is that he stays, but that’s not in my full control. We have not received a formal offer for Alex, from any club.” James said Liverpool will have done their homework and know exactly what difference he can make to a team which won the Premier

David James (left) and Alexander Isak. – AFPPIC/REUTESSPIC

Winning return for Zverev

Down to the wire

- Story on page 28

- Story on page 29

- Story on page 30

Big ambition

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