Arne Slot insists Liverpool have the firepower to defend their Premier League title even if they fail to land prime target Alexander Isak.
Liverpool are well aware that they will be entering a daunting atmosphere at St James’s Park, as Slot braces for the intense reaction from home fans angered by Isak’s intent to depart after their £110 million offer was turned down last month.
Whether Liverpool will approach with a renewed offer before the transfer deadline still remains uncertain. That said, the possibility shouldn’t be entirely dismissed. Nonetheless, Slot is confident about having ample striking options to guide his team through the challenges ahead.
Slot is optimistic about making things click and cites the acquisition of Florian Wirtz as pivotal, given Wirtz’s versatility to fill the ‘false nine’ role and adapt to various attacking positions, making a significant impact on Liverpool.
Slot stated, ‘It depends on your perspective. Including Florian Wirtz as an attacking option makes it five attackers. So, yes, we’ve sold Darwin (Nunez) and signed Hugo. With Lucho leaving, Florian could potentially replace him.’
Arne Slot insists Liverpool have enough firepower even if they don’t sign Alexander Isak
Some believe an injury to Mo Salah or Hugo Ekitike would be ruinous for the champions
A £110million bid for Isak was rejected and it remains to be seen whether the Reds return
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Slot continued, ‘We all know about Diogo (Jota’s) situation. If you assess it like this, we might seem short, but Jeremie Frimpong, when healthy, is undoubtedly an option as a winger, leading us to have six forwards!’
It will be intriguing to observe how Slot utilizes Wirtz, as during his Premier League debut against Bournemouth, there were instances where he appeared overwhelmed: while his talent is evident, he seemed to struggle with the game’s pace.
‘I would consider him for more games in that (false nine) position,’ Slot, who is debating whether to use Joe Gomez at right-back for the hamstrung Frimpong, confirmed. ‘But there were games last season – Man City and Aston Villa away – where we played with an extra midfielder like Curtis Jones.
‘But it depends not only on bringing in an extra midfielder but it depends on tactics, how they line up, all these kinds of things. He is already an option to play as a left winger and he can be an option for the upcoming game. Cody played a good game against Bournemouth as well.’
Understandably, given the strained relationship between the clubs, Slot has tiptoed around the subject of Isak all summer. He has sympathy in some respects for Eddie Howe, his counterpart who he one day expects will manage England, but equally recognises the threat Newcastle pose.
‘It was very intense the last time we played there,’ said Slot.
‘And it always is when they play at home, let alone an evening game, it is always so, so, so intense. So I am not sure if this is an extra reason for them. I am not even sure if that is what the players and the manager are thinking as well.
‘Social media and people write a lot but is this truly what the players and the manager is thinking? I don’t know, I have no clue. What I do know is we’re going to face a very, very good team and that is even more difficult than playing in that stadium, with their fans.
Isak is determined to leave St James’ Park and Slot admitted he has sympathy for Eddie Howe
‘I have sympathy for Eddie. I think he is a great human being, he is always polite and that is my general feeling about him. It is maybe no coincidence I have texted him as he is a very honest and polite colleague.
‘For the rest, I don’t need to have sympathy for a manager that can still play Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Anthony Elanga, Jacob Murphy.’
