Stan Collymore: Isak and Ekitike could play up front together
Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has told NewBettingOffers.co.uk that Alexander Isak has the potential to be an excellent signing, so long as his arrival doesn’t put Hugo Ekitke’s minutes in jeopardy.
Collymore emphasised that although Isak is clearly a top-quality forward, Ekitike must not be disregarded after his fine start to life at Liverpool, even suggesting the two could play up front together.
Speaking to NewBettingOffers.co.uk, Collymore said: “I think Alexander Isak has excellent potential, but I am a little bit worried about how Liverpool’s attackers will rotate now. I hope the signing doesn’t destroy Hugo Ekitike’s mojo, because I really like him.
“I think it will be Mohamed Salah on the right, Isak through the middle and Ekitike on the left, with Florian Wirtz just in behind those three. I like what Ekitike has done so far and he’s got a really well-rounded skillset. I like his work rate, he’s no-nonsense and he gets stuck into teams.
“I just hope he isn’t pushed to one side and I hope the coaching skillsets that Arne Slot and his team have give him and Isak an opportunity to work together. They could even play two up front with both of them up there together.
“Isak is a very complete striker as well. If you play the ball over the top, he’ll run onto it and put the ball round the goalkeeper because he’s a good finisher. If he brings even 80% of his Newcastle form then he’ll make Liverpool a better team.
“I’d give it a nine out of ten in terms of the potential for it to be a great transfer. My only concern is around Ekitike’s minutes, because he’s a player I like a lot.”
Missing out on Guehi not the end of the world for Liverpool
Liverpool missed out on signing Marc Guehi in the final minutes of transfer deadline day, but Collymore doesn’t feel it’s the type of missed signing that will cost them the Premier League title as he believes Guehi and Ibrahima Konate are of a similar ability.
“I don’t actually know if there’s a great difference between Marc Guehi and Ibrahima Konaté in terms of ability,” he said. “I think signing Guehi would’ve given Liverpool more options at the back, but I don’t think he was an absolute deal-breaker.
“I don’t think it’s the case that, if he was alongside Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool would canter the league. I think it tells you more about Konate, because although he has top-class abilities, he has been erratic at times.
“If I were Liverpool I’d go in for him again in January. It would be a reduced fee and if Crystal Palace are already safe in mid-table and not really looking like getting into Europe, then they might be more inclined to sell him.
“If they don’t sell in January, then he’ll leave on a free transfer at the end of the season. As long as they’re safe from relegation and they’ve got themselves into the knockout stages of the Conference League fairly comfortably, I don’t see why they wouldn’t cash in.
Guehi can’t wait a whole year for Liverpool move
In the wake of his failed summer move, Collymore has urged Guehi to join Liverpool in January as, if he waits until summer, the club may set their sights on a new centre-back that may emerge throughout the season or at next year’s World Cup.
“I don’t think Guehi can afford to wait until next summer to move to Liverpool,” said Collymore. “A year is a long time and if Guehi just sits back and thinks he’s definitely going to sign for Liverpool in the summer, I’d warn him that those deals can get away from you very quickly.
“Somebody else could have an amazing season, come out of nowhere at the World Cup, and then suddenly they’re the next big centre-half. All that could happen while Guehi might not even play a minute at the World Cup – then you’re left in the dirt.
“From my perspective, I think Liverpool should go back in for him in January with a cheeky bid, but it wouldn’t be catastrophic if they can’t get him this season.”
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