Liverpool’s Pursuit of Isak: Nine Years in the Making

Long-Term Interest Meets Short-Term Pressure

Liverpool have not stumbled into this pursuit of Alexander Isak by chance. This is not a reaction to market conditions or a spur-of-the-moment swoop. It is a continuation of an interest that first sparked in 2016 and never truly faded.

Back then, Isak was a wiry teenager breaking out in the Swedish top flight with AIK. He was lean, lightning-quick and blessed with the sort of close control that hinted at a serious career ahead. Liverpool had already noticed, and according to MatchDax, went as far as to hold a “secret meeting” in Sweden with club officials and Isak’s representatives in a bid to bring him to Anfield. They were serious. So was the interest.

But the young Swede chose a different path. Borussia Dortmund presented a more immediate route to development and first-team football. He took it, and while it took a few detours via the Netherlands and Spain, he found his feet in the Premier League eventually, albeit in black and white, not red.

Opportunity Lost, Again

Fast forward to 2022 and Liverpool’s analytics department again placed Isak high on the shortlist of striker targets. Ian Graham, the former Director of Research, confirmed to the Financial Times that Isak was one of the prime candidates at the time.

But once again, Liverpool opted for another forward. This time, it was Darwin Núñez who got the nod. That decision was left to Jurgen Klopp, and history is still writing the verdict.

Meanwhile, Isak signed for Newcastle. Now, in 2025, Liverpool find themselves at the negotiating table once more, only the stakes are higher, the price is steeper and the context more emotionally charged. The tragic passing of Diogo Jota in July has left a void in the club’s attacking setup, emotionally and tactically.

Financial Muscle and Timing

The window is winding down and Liverpool are still pushing. Newcastle’s situation under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules may yet work in the Reds’ favour. Squad building requires funds, and sometimes the only way to generate them is to cash in on your most marketable asset.

If Liverpool are willing to go big, they could finally get their man. It would be a third attempt, but one that carries the full weight of legacy scouting, data-driven backing and now, urgent necessity.

Isak’s Trajectory Aligned with Anfield’s Ambitions

Liverpool’s admiration for Isak has always been rooted in more than just numbers. His profile fits. Tall, quick, clever, and composed, he offers something different to the current squad. That he has already adapted to English football only adds weight to the case.

Now, it’s a matter of timing and negotiation. Newcastle may want to hold out, but the final month of the window can shift even the firmest stances. This is not just another rumour. It’s the continuation of a story nearly a decade in the making.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

There’s something poetic about Liverpool’s long pursuit of Alexander Isak. For many fans, the frustration lies in knowing how close the club came to signing him twice before. Seeing the club chase a player for nine years speaks volumes about how highly Isak has been rated internally.

Supporters will also reflect on the “what if” moments. Had Isak signed in 2016, would Liverpool have needed to spend big on alternatives? Had the club backed the data team in 2022, would Isak already be flourishing in red instead of black and white?

But hindsight does little to shape the present. Right now, fans are simply asking for action. With the tragic loss of Jota still fresh in hearts and minds, this feels like the moment for the club to make a meaningful signing who can deliver both on the pitch and lift spirits off it.

Isak’s style would resonate at Anfield. He presses with intelligence, holds the ball with elegance and finishes with composure. If Newcastle are forced into a sale, most supporters will hope the club don’t hesitate this time.