Liverpool faces Isak dilemma ahead of Arsenal visit

LIVERPOOL — Liverpool and Arsenal have combined to spend nearly 550 million pounds ($742 million) in a transfer arms race, yet the uncertain future of Newcastle forward Alexander Isak still hangs over Sunday's showdown between the Premier League title rivals.

Defending champion Liverpool is Isak's preferred destination should the Swede manage to engineer an exit from Tyneside before Monday's transfer deadline.

Yet, the early season showings of Arne Slot's men have raised doubts over whether Liverpool should allocate more funds to retooling its attack, or invest in a defense that has proved porous so far this season.

Newcastle is reportedly holding out for 150 million pounds for Isak, who has publicly declared his desire to leave and is yet to feature this season.

The Reds have already committed to a 100 million-pound fee on German midfielder Florian Wirtz, that could rise to a British transfer record of 116 million, as well as 69 million pounds for French forward Hugo Ekitike. While Wirtz has, so far, proved underwhelming, Ekitike has three goals in as many games so far this season.

Liverpool has delivered late drama to win both of its wild, high-scoring opening two Premier League games, beating Bournemouth 4-2 and Newcastle 3-2.

Sixteen-year-old Rio Ngumoha was its unlikely hero at a fiery St James' Park on Monday, with Newcastle fighting to the finish, fueled by its anger of Liverpool's pursuit of Isak.

Federico Chiesa also made a match-winning contribution for Liverpool after coming off the bench against Bournemouth.

Slot has said he is satisfied with his attacking options, despite the sales of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez and the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, who died last month in a car accident.

"I am happy with the squad, but if we think there is a player who can really make us better, then this club has always shown they can bring them in," said Slot.

"But it needs to be everything we want: right transfer fee, right position and a player who wants to come to us.

"I don't think (it will be a busy end to the summer transfer window) because (that would mean) I am unhappy with the squad."

Liverpool has also splashed out on new fullbacks Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong and talented 18-year-old Italian centerback Giovanni Leoni.

But many believe it needs more defensive recruits before the end of the window.

Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai had to deputize at right-back against Newcastle, while Ibrahima Konate's uncertainty over his future has told in a poor start to the campaign.

"He is not at the races at all," said former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher. "I absolutely shudder to think where Liverpool would be without Virgil van Dijk."

Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has been targeted as a potential partner for Van Dijk.

Banking on Gyokeres

Despite spending slightly more than Arsenal on new arrivals, Liverpool's net spend is drastically smaller after raising over 200 million pounds in sales.

The Gunners resisted the temptation to splash out on Isak to solve their need for a clinical striker, instead spreading their 250 million-pound spree across seven new signings.

Viktor Gyokeres has been assigned to get the goals that Arsenal hopes will produce a first title since 2004 after finishing second for the past three seasons.

The Swede scored twice in Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Leeds.

Eberechi Eze was paraded to a hero's reception at the Emirates before the match after turning his back on a move to rival Tottenham.

Martin Zubimendi has added more steel to Mikel Arteta's midfield, while Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard add extra depth across the squad.

"We've learned the lesson from last season and the squad that you need right now," said Arteta. "That is why we acted in the market the way that we have, because you have so many games, anything can happen."

Crucially, Arsenal is building on solid foundations.

Arteta's men have had the best defense in the Premier League for the past two campaigns and, in stark contrast to Liverpool, have won their first two games without conceding a goal.

AFP