With Hugo Ekitike out for the rest of the season, all eyes will turn to the returning Alexander Isak to replace the Frenchman as Liverpool’s main man upfront. But having missed most of the season himself, after a slow start to his Liverpool career, is the Club's record transfer really the man to kickstart Liverpool's failing season?

The Swede, capped 56 times for his nation, was one of Europe's most coveted players at the end of last season, with Manchester United, Barcelona, and of course Liverpool all heavily linked with the forward.

However, fast forward nine months and Isak is now the figurehead of a disastrous transfer window that has seemingly set the club back years.  But with Ekitike out, Isak has been presented with the chance to rebuild his reputation with the added impetus of Sweden playing in the World Cup this Summer. 

So how does Arne Slot reintegrate the once lauded striker?

Isak plays in a similar style to Ekitike. Both players are equally adept at playing either as a central striker or on the left, whilst equally able to drop back when play dictates. Indeed, Alexander Isak's best goal in England (albeit against Newcastle United) started with him winning the ball deep into midfield, running from the left wing, and then scoring from an angle, after beating a number of players in defence. 

As such, Isak offers more attacking threat than Ekitike, at least on paper. The Swede scored 62 goals in 109 appearances at previous club Newcastle United, and 44 in 132 for Real Sociedad prior to that. Ekitike only really started to score at a consistent rate after joining Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023. Naturally, age plays a part, with Ekitike being three years younger. However, Isak has proven Premier League experience and could prove invaluable in the closing weeks of the season. 

Image Credits - This is Anfield