Jose Enrique has told the Metro that Real Sociedad star Alexander Isak would be a ‘perfect’ striker for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp to target in the upcoming January transfer window.
The former Reds full-back believes the Anfield natives need to strengthen their attacking options next month. Klopp has relied heavily on Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota, but has also had to deal without Roberto Firmino and backup Divock Origi at times.
Firmino has missed Liverpool’s last six Premier League games with a hamstring injury. Origi also sat out Saturday’s win over Aston Villa with a knee injury. Their issues saw Klopp start Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a makeshift false-nine, but he only featured for the first hour.
Enrique backs Liverpool transfer for Real Sociedad star Isak
Enrique would wholeheartedly back Liverpool to target a January transfer for Real Sociedad striker Isak to give Klopp more options. The Reds did actually explore a deal for the Sweden ace this summer as a possible long-term successor for Firmino, per Noticias de Gipuzkoa.
“I know January is a difficult transfer window because sometimes people buy in panic. But definitely, I would go for one player who can play across the front-three,” Enrique said.
“I love Isak from Real Sociedad. I think they should have signed him in the summer before he signed a new deal with Sociedad. Now [it] will be difficult. But if they go with the right amount of money, definitely he is a player [worth signing].
“He’s 22, a big lad, quick, strong, good one-vs-one, can play on the wings, as well as a number nine, he defends. Isak is definitely perfect for Liverpool’s profile of signings. A young player, not spending £100s of millions, you’re going to spend £50m-60m.”
Isak pursuit far more challenging for Klopp now
Liverpool tracked Isak very closely this summer after their scouts issued excellent reports on the Real Sociedad star. But the Txuri-Urdin thwarted any pursuit in July, when the 31-cap forward penned a new contract running to 2026.
His new deal also featured an increased release clause, which El Desmarque note rose from €70m (£59.5m) to €90m (£76.5m). A big profit for a player Sociedad signed from Borussia Dortmund just €6.5m (£5.5m) in 2019.
Liverpool could also face strong competition, as Eurosport reported last month that Arsenal are among the clubs studying Isak as a transfer alternative to Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic.
Isak is highly sought-after as he has experience of playing in Spain, Germany and Sweden at 22. He also impressed at Euro 2020, and is keen on a move to England. But the forward would want to see a clear route to regular game time, which Klopp may struggle to offer.
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