Carragher warns Liverpool to act fast in Isak transfer battle | OneFootball

Liverpool Must Find Plan B Beyond Alexander Isak

The Alexander Isak transfer saga continues to dominate headlines, but as Jamie Carragher argued in The Telegraph, Liverpool cannot afford to be paralysed by it. Time is running out in the window, and unless a breakthrough comes quickly, Arne Slot’s side need to switch focus.

Carragher praised Liverpool’s summer business but added urgency: “If Isak is not a Liverpool player early next week, he and Slot must accept that it is not going to happen in this transfer window.” The message is clear—Liverpool’s title defence cannot hinge on just three attackers in Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike. With Salah leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations in December, the lack of depth is obvious.

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Ruthlessness Required in Transfer Market

Liverpool’s hierarchy has long been admired for shrewd recruitment, but Carragher stressed that this cannot be an “Isak or no one” summer. The £110m offer already tabled was, in his view, “not derisory”, and anything above £130m would be excessive: “You would want Kylian Mbappé for the fee.”

The Swedish forward’s injury record and reliance on penalties are also caution flags. Carragher pointed out that 10 of his last 44 league goals were penalties—opportunities he would not get at Anfield with Salah as the established taker.

Newcastle’s Stance and Howe’s Dilemma

For Newcastle, the standoff is just as destabilising. With three years left on his deal, Isak holds little leverage, yet his refusal to play has created tension. Carragher noted: “There is absolutely no justification for Isak’s refusal to play for the club who are paying his wages.”

Eddie Howe, caught between ownership and dressing-room unity, faces a task reminiscent of Liverpool’s own Torres and Coutinho sagas. Selling may strengthen Newcastle long-term, but for now, the situation risks contaminating their campaign.

Why Liverpool Cannot Wait

Carragher’s conclusion is uncompromising: Liverpool must act now. Whether Isak arrives or not, Slot needs reinforcements.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, Carragher’s call for a Plan B is absolutely spot on. While Isak would undoubtedly improve Slot’s options, Liverpool have been here before. Supporters recall Coutinho’s push for Barcelona, or Sterling’s controversial move to City. The lesson was simple: no player is bigger than the club, and alternatives must always be lined up.

There is also a growing sense among the fanbase that Liverpool cannot gamble a title defence on the health and form of just three forwards. Salah is still the talisman, but at 33 and with AFCON duties ahead, expecting him to shoulder the entire scoring burden is unrealistic. Gakpo offers versatility, but he has not yet delivered elite numbers, while Ekitike remains a gamble rather than a proven Premier League striker. There’s obviously Chiesa too, but Arne Slot clearly sees him as a emergency option.

The mood around Anfield is one of impatience. Fans are excited ahead of the season but wary of another window passing without the necessary ruthlessness even though the business so far has been impressive we’re still short in key areas.

If Newcastle remain stubborn, the majority of Liverpool supporters would rather see the money go towards two hungry, top-tier attackers than chasing one reluctant target at an inflated price. Carragher’s words resonate because they reflect the pragmatic approach fans expect: get the deal done if it makes sense, walk away if not, but above all—don’t leave the squad short.