Liverpool could be in for a hectic summer transfer window, with Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak touted for a potential move to Anfield come season end.
Despite leading the Premier League pack, there’s always room for bolstering in the Liverpool ranks, and with the futures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold hanging in the balance, a significant reshuffle might be on the horizon for the Reds this summer. Plus, with Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz hitting a dry spell in front of goal recently, a fresh attacking force could be on Arne Slot’s wishlist, and Isak is the name that’s cropping up most frequently.
At 25, Isak has been turning heads since his switch to Newcastle in 2022, with the forward boasting 19 Premier League goals so far this season after bagging 21 in the last. The Swedish International has also netted four in six against Liverpool, most recently in the Magpies’ Carabao Cup Final triumph over the Reds.
However, any deal for Isak won’t be a bargain, with Newcastle likely to demand well north of $100 million for its prized asset. So, what could unfold if Isak were to don the red of Liverpool this summer? The Liverpool Echo turned to Football Manager 2024 to get a glimpse of Liverpool’s 2025/26 season with Alexander Isak.
In a simulated scenario using Football Manager 2024, Liverpool shattered the Premier League transfer record by bringing in Swedish International Isak from Newcastle. The simulation continued through the 2025 summer transfer window and the entirety of the 2025/26 season.
Firstly, Liverpool managed to secure new two-year contracts for both Van Dijk and Salah. However, Alexander-Arnold did not renew his contract and instead made a move to Real Madrid. Darwin Nunez, Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez also departed on permanent transfers, while Jeremie Frimpong, Adam Wharton, and Dani Vivian were all brought into Slot’s squad.
(Image: Football Manager 24)
Upon his arrival, Isak immediately took up the mantle as Liverpool’s primary striker, relegating Jota to a secondary role. The 25-year-old hit the ground running, netting a hat-trick in his debut match, a 4-0 victory over West Ham United in the Premier League.
By the end of the season, Isak had become Liverpool’s top scorer across all competitions, with 31 goals in 43 appearances. Twenty-four of these goals were scored in the Premier League, narrowly missing out on the Golden Boot to Erling Haaland who scored 26.
At the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, Football Manager 2024 assembled an overall best Liverpool XI based on performance, statistics, and other metrics. The team lined up as follows: Full Liverpool best XI: (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Isak.
(Image: Football Manager 24)
Isak was the spearhead of Liverpool’s best XI, with Diaz and Salah flanking him on either side while Cody Gakpo had to sit out. New recruit Wharton couldn’t break into the best XI ahead of Alexis Mac Allister or Ryan Gravenberch, but Frimpong did as he made a strong impression in his debut season at Anfield.
With Isak at the helm, Liverpool emerged as one of the Premier League’s most formidable sides, clinching 28 victories out of their 38 league matches in a remarkable campaign. However, Manchester City were also in top form, with Pep Guardiola’s squad narrowly edging out the Reds for the title.
Liverpool wrapped up the season with 89 points from 28 wins, five draws and five defeats, seven points clear of Arsenal in third place, but two points shy of the champions. Man City also ousted Slot’s team from the Champions League in the semi-finals, but there was a silver lining as Liverpool triumphed over Arsenal 3-1 to secure the FA Cup after suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Gunners in the Carabao Cup Final earlier in the season.
