Jamie Carragher warns Liverpool not to overpay for Alexander Isak, suggesting they should have a ‘Plan B’ in place. The Reds legend believes £130 million should be enough to sign Kylian Mbappe, who could offer a more proven alternative.
Jamie Carragher has urged Liverpool to be cautious in their pursuit of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, recommending that the club should not overspend on the 25-year-old. The former Liverpool legend has warned the Reds not to put all their eggs in one basket, stressing that a £130 million bid for Isak may be excessive.
What Happened?
Liverpool’s interest in Isak has been well-documented, with the Reds initially offering £110 million for the Swedish forward. However, that bid was swiftly rejected by Newcastle United. Now, with the summer transfer window closing soon, Liverpool are reportedly preparing a significantly increased offer, believed to be in the region of £130 million ($176 million). Despite this, Carragher has questioned whether the fee is justified, given Isak’s injury concerns and limited proven record.
What Carragher Said
Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Carragher expressed:
I would like to see the Swedish striker become a Liverpool player, but not at any cost. The suggestion that the first £110m offer for Isak is ‘derisory’ is divorced from reality. If Liverpool bid more than £130 million, it is too much. You would want Kylian Mbappe for the fee.
Carragher also pointed out Isak’s struggles with durability, stating:
Now 25, he is yet to prove he has the durability of Mohamed Salah. He has failed to start 36 league games over his three seasons in England and 10 of his last 44 league goals were penalties. He would not be taking them at Anfield.
The Bigger Picture
Carragher has made it clear that Liverpool cannot afford to focus solely on Isak. With Salah expected to miss time due to Africa Cup of Nations duty, the club must ensure they have sufficient attacking depth. In the past, Liverpool were caught off guard after selling Luis Díaz, assuming a replacement was already in place—an error Carragher hopes they won’t repeat.
Slot will not defend the crown with only three out-and-out attackers of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Hugo Ekitike. They cannot carry the goalscoring burden without at least one more, preferably two, top-class operators across the front line,
Carragher
What’s Next for Liverpool?
Isak is reportedly doing everything in his power to secure a move to Liverpool. The striker allegedly refused to be available for Newcastle’s opener against Aston Villa and is currently training alone at the club’s facilities. As Liverpool prepares for their upcoming Premier League clash against Newcastle, Isak’s future remains uncertain.
Carragher’s warning highlights the urgency for Liverpool to prepare multiple options and not place all their hopes on a single player.
