Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson thinks Liverpool should be prioritising the signing of a centre-back ahead of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.

After watching Hugo Ekitike’s performance in the Community Shield, Merson feels that the arrival of Isak would cause “more problems” than it solves and he believes there are other positions that need to be strengthened first:

“If I was Liverpool, I’d be looking more for a centre-back than Isak. Arne Slot has enough options going forward without needing Isak. Hugo Ekitike looked very good against Crystal Palace. They desperately need another defender.”

“I hear a lot of people saying that if Liverpool get Isak, it’s game over in the Premier League. It’s finished. I don’t see that at all.”It causes more problems, if anything. Where does Cody Gakpo play? There’s Florian Wirtz, Mo Salah and then Ekitike. If Isak arrives, they can’t all play. Slot will have to mix things up and change things constantly to keep everyone happy and that causes problems.”

There is a good chance that Liverpool will sign Isak AND a defender

Based on the most recent reports, the Reds are hoping to snap up Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Parma’s Giovanni Leoni to strengthen the centre of defence.

It remains to be seen whether sporting director Richard Hughes will get both deals over the line before September 1st but the ambition is clear.

Liverpool have lost 3 forwards this summer

With Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz no longer available to head coach Arne Slot, there is an argument to say that the Reds are light up front, contrary to Merson’s claims.

Many fans are hoping that the Merseysiders will recruit two forward players ahead of the transfer deadline, with Isak and a left winger being signed. That does seem to be unrealistic, especially if more than one centre-half is purchased.

Read more about the Liverpool First Team Squad for 2025/26 here