Liverpool

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We asked for your views on whether Alexander Isak will join Liverpool after the Newcastle striker and his club exchanged words regarding his future.

Here are some of your comments:

Dave: At the start of the transfer window, I would have seen Isak as a priority signing. With the arrival of Ekitike and Wirtz, and especially with how Isak has portrayed himself in the last month, I am nowhere near as keen. I actually think a centre-back signing is more important now anyway.

Andy: Surely it's now 'when' not 'if', but then again we're waiting for Newcastle to sign at least one striker. We'll soon see, but it's been messy at best. With Isak though LFC will be expected to win the lot. It ramps expectation to new heights not experienced since the 80s.

Ashley: Personally I feel Newcastle are running out of time as Isak has made it clear he wants Liverpool and won't play for them again. It's only because they have wealthy backers they haven't let him go yet. £120m will allow them to throw big money at another decent striker or strikers.

Stephen: Leave him there. He's a troublemaker.

Tom: I don't want him now. To show that attitude to your club is frankly not the behaviour of a player Liverpool should have. He will only do it to us in three years when Madrid come in for him. Ekitike has shown his worth already - why discard him to the bench or the wing?

Mark: It's dragging on too long. It's best for everyone now that Isak gets his move. I can't see any good coming from him remaining at Newcastle.

Fraser: It's pretty clear - Isak wants to join us but Newcastle have let him down. I hope we get him (and there's still a chance we will this window) but even if we don't, I'll be very happy with Hugo Ekitike up front. He's already becoming a fan favourite. We do, however, need another forward or two as we are looking a little light up front. I'm sure we'll get something done. As this window has shown, we actually have a good recruitment team. Newcastle's recruitment team is practically non-existent.

Phil: Can't trust him, what happens when he nears the end of a contract at Liverpool? Move on and get a defender, he's not for sale.

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

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To explain this we need to look at Newcastle's transfers so far.

After a frustrating summer window, their business has started to pick up.

They signed midfielder Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa for £40m on Sunday, after securing AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw for a reported £34.6m earlier in the week.

This added to July's £55m signing of Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga and the loan signing of England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale early in August.

But there is one glaring omission.

None of these are strikers - and they really needed one before Alexander Isak's future was thrown into question after the departure of Callum Wilson.

Sources have told BBC Sport one reason there hasn't yet been a follow-up bid is that any move would be reliant on Newcastle getting two strikers through the door.

Newcastle have maintained publicly that Isak isn't for sale, but Liverpool know they are looking for two strikers for a reason.

When - or perhaps if - Newcastle get those two signings in, Liverpool are expected to ramp up their interest with another bid.

Sources say the next offer will be a minimum £120m. At the moment, though, it's a waiting game.

Read more on the saga here

Alexander Isak and Newcastle United have exchanged words regarding the striker's future. You can read them all below.

So what do you think will happen now? Will he join Liverpool or stay put?

Get in touch with your views here

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Alexander Isak has spoken publicly for the first time since his future became the biggest talking point this summer.

Liverpool had a £110m bid rejected for the forward, who is currently not training with the first-team at Newcastle.

Isak says Newcastle United have "broken" promises and that "trust is lost" whilst the club say "no commitment has ever been made" that he could leave this summer.

In a statement on Instagram Isak wrote: "I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.

"The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.

"When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now - and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself."

In a later statement Newcastle said: "We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.

"We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views.

"As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired. We do not foresee those conditions being met."

Mohammed Salah says he is "so happy" after becoming the first player to win the Professional Footballers' Association men's Player of the Year award on three occasions.

"This is something that has never happened before in the Premier League," he said.

"I will never forget it and it never happened before. I am so happy.

"We had a great season and also myself I had a great season - my best season for the club and in my career.

"Hopefully it will continue this year. I found always the way to stay hungry and want more."

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Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

David asked: Should Liverpool buy a defensive midfielder? We can look soft in the centre of the team and I worry we will struggle in the biggest games domestically and abroad.

Phil answered: No. I wouldn't buy another defensive midfield player as I think Liverpool have the resources in there to cover that off, especially when Ryan Gravenberch is back from suspension.

I would prioritise another central defender, perhaps also another left-sided attacking player, although I still have a hunch we will see Alexander Isak at Liverpool before the transfer window closed.

John asked: How important is it that Liverpool sign another centre-back who can step in for Virgil van Dijk over a long campaign?

Phil answered: Very important, with Jarell Quansah sold and Joe Gomez, unfortunately, too often injured. There is also a question mark over Ibrahima Konate's future as he is yet to sign a new contract.

An injury to Van Dijk would be seriously damaging, so I'm sure this is something Liverpool are looking at, with talks having already been held about a deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.

I expect Liverpool to sign a central defender before the window closes.

Read more of the Q&A with Phil here

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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Liverpool will score lots and lots of goals this season. Some of the attacking link-up play was extraordinary during the 4-2 win over Bournemouth.

But whether we can retain the title or not will depend on if we can plug the gaps in the middle when we lose the ball.

Both Bournemouth's goals came from counter-attacks. There were no defensive midfielders in both situations to stop the fast break and Antoine Semenyo finished with aplomb on both occasions.

Liverpool were without Ryan Gravenberch, who is the most defensive of Arne Slot's midfielders, but it feels like more of a tactical issue than a personnel one.

At 2-1 up, Liverpool flooded bodies into Bournemouth's box. The full-backs were in the opposition penalty area and the midfielders were in attack mode, too. One transition and it was 2-2.

Thankfully, the power of Anfield and the relentlessness of Liverpool's attack meant we scored two more goals, but it should have been a much more professional job.

In all likelihood, Liverpool will spend huge money on Alexander Isak before the window closes, strengthening an already jaw-dropping attack. Marc Guehi is expected at centre-back, too.

If it were me, I would try to beat Manchester United to Brighton's ball-winning machine Carlos Baleba. He has the tenacity and defensive characteristics required for the double pivot.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

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Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

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Arne Slot's Liverpool have brought in attacking reinforcements but the balance of their side looks off. Against Bournemouth, they were bright going forward but looked susceptible to conceding on the break.

Last season, Liverpool only conceded two goals from fast breaks all season. In the first game of this season, they equalled that number.

So what has changed for Liverpool?

The personnel informs how tactics are executed and Slot pointed towards sloppy passing in midfield as a reason Liverpool were so exposed. These misplaced passes gave the opposition time and space against a disorganised defensive shape while attacking the centre of the pitch.

This is more dangerous than losing the ball in the wide areas as attackers are closer to goal, in better shooting positions.

Although Slot focuses mainly on the sloppy passing and dispossessions in midfield, it is objectively true that Liverpool committed many bodies to their attack. At times, there were seven or eight players in and around Bournemouth's box, leaving Liverpool with very few players back to defend.

For Antoine Semenyo's second goal, both Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson were attacking in the opposition's box so were unable to get back to defend the counter-attack when the ball was lost.

Yes, decision-making and passing quality needs to be better but Slot may need to tweak the positions of the full-backs or central midfielders when Liverpool are attacking for additional protection against dangerous counter-attacking sides.

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BBC Sport's tactics correspondent Umir Irfan says Arne Slot is "going for a more fluid approach" in Liverpool's forward line and Alexander Isak would fit in very well with Hugo Ekitike.

Although it is unknown whether Isak will get his desired move, Irfan has been looking at the way the Reds may set up if they sign the Newcastle striker.

"There are similarities between Ekitike and Isak, but Ekitike has a great tendency to drop deep and get involved," Irfan told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"From what we have seen so far in their build-up play, Milos Kerkez stays in the back three and Jeremie Frimpong pushes really high and wide. Ekitike and Dominik Szoboszlai then drop really deep and into the wide areas, and when they do that the left-winger comes inside.

"That makes it really hard for opposition players.

"I can imagine a scenario where Ekitike starts in the middle when Liverpool are building-up, before he pulls out wide, which leaves all of that space for Isak.

"In more settled play, you would have Isak down the middle and Ekitike on the left.

"They would be interchanging. When you have two really good players on the ball with experience of moving to the left flank, it will be really hard for teams to pick up."

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Crystal Palace want to retain their England duo - defender Marc Guehi, 25, and 27-year-old playmaker Eberechi Eze - who are targets for Liverpool and Tottenham respectively - until after the start of their Conference League campaign, which begins on Thursday against Fredrikstad. (Mirror, external)

Meanwhile, winger Federico Chiesa has told the Reds he wants to stay at Anfield. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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We asked for your views on what Liverpool should do with Federico Chiesa. Should they cash-in or do they take a gamble that he stays fit and continues to shine in the moments that matter the most.

Here are some of your comments:

Lee: I think Chiesa deserves a chance to shine at Liverpool. He arrived injured and he's done well when he's come on. He seems happy here, even if he doesn't start. I think if he can get back to the form he's shown in the past, Liverpool will have an amazing player and someone who can change matches.

Michael: Chiesa's goals to minute ratio is actually good. He gets a lot of shots off in equal measure. He deserves to get more game-time and has shown he can deliver when trusted. We are short of forwards with the sales of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, and unfortunately the passing of Diogo Jota. Keep him as a very good squad option.

Hari: With the loss of Diogo, we also lost a player who could come on and grab the game by the scruff of the neck. These players are hard to find and Federico has proved this could be him, so give him some minutes and see what he can do.

Rahul: The Chiesa scenario reminds me very much of Divock Origi. Even the most ardent of Liverpool fans will admit that Origi was quite an average striker but the fact that he scored the most crucial goals elevated him to cult hero status. Chiesa is a quality player who loves the club and who is equally loved by the fans. If he can stay fit, he is definitely worth keeping around, even if only as an impact sub.

Tom: Keep him. His value to us is higher than any potential fee and we are short on those positions. If he finds any of his old form from before his injuries it will be a gamble that pays off many times over.

Richard: Keep Chiesa because he can score and unite fans and players alike. Cult hero status is unmatched in today's world.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Footage of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi appearing to ignore his manager Oliver Glasner after Sunday's draw at Chelsea certainly got tongues wagging.

Guehi is the subject of interest from Liverpool, who last week opened talks with Palace over a potential £35million deal to sign the England international.

So the sight of Guehi refusing Glasner's approach on the pitch after the final whistle at Stamford Bridge, and the Austrian's apparent subsequent confusion, has resulted in speculation as to why, particularly given the Premier League champions' efforts to sign him.

However, BBC Sport understands Guehi's reaction was merely a result of his disappointment at the goalless draw at Chelsea and the fact he wanted to keep any debriefs in the confines of the dressing room.

Guehi and Glasner, who have kept close communication throughout the summer despite the prospect of the 25-year-old leaving Selhurst Park, remain on good terms.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Marc Guehi's is a very similar situation to Eberechi Eze.

Liverpool and Crystal Palace have held discussions about a possible £35m deal for Guehi to go to Anfield before the transfer deadline.

There is still no agreement, but those talks should accelerate in the next few days but the success of that deal hinges on whether the chairman, Steve Parish, sees Liverpool's deal and their valuation of the player as enough to let their captain go.

It may be that Parish decides that the deal isn't enough, and the fee isn't enough, and it may be more valuable for him to stay until the end of the season and the 12 months until his contract runs out than it would actually to recoup the money.

There's still a lot to get done in that deal, but there are legs in it, and if I were a betting man, then I'd put money on that deal to get done before the transfer window closes.

The expected sale of Ben Doak to Bournemouth for an initial fee of £20m - with a further £5m in add-ons a possibility - continues a summer theme of Liverpool profiting handsomely from talents developed at the club.

Jarrell Quansah left for Bayer Leverkusen for about £30m before any add-ons kick in. Caoimhin Kelleher's Brentford switch brought in £12.5m, which could rise further. Trent Alexander-Arnold's switch to Real Madrid brought in a fee of about £8m in order for Liverpool to release the defender early, though Madrid disputed the story.

Nat Phillips moved to West Brom for £1m, while Tyler Morton switched to Lyon for £15m.

Naturally, some of the fees are subject to add-ons and, such is the nature of transfer business, the reported figures may differ slightly from the deals the clubs actually struck.

But regardless, Liverpool have brought in between £80m and £90m - before add-ons - for players that cost the club a total of £600,000.

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport senior journalist

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"We can hear 'em crying in Turin... Federico, he came to win..."

Federico Chiesa has played a total of 479 minutes of football for Liverpool - less than some players deliver in a month.

And yet, the smiling Italian can proudly claim to be the subject of what is becoming an iconic football chant that Liverpool fans seemingly adore.

In May, the club's players pushed him forward to dance with the Premier League trophy in front of the Kop, with the likes of Andy Robertson imploring fans to send the chant rippling down the famous stand so the players could bop to its tune.

The cult-hero status some players absorb is a tough concept to logically define. Some earn it through consistency, some as local boys who did good, others for maybe a style of play that leaves them bruised and battered for the cause. Chiesa is or has produced none of the above - and yet cult-hero status seems to envelope him like a fine Italian suit.

At Friday's season opener, with the score perched at 2-2, his late introduction prompted countless Kopites to turn to those near them and state "if he scores, it's going to go mental". His late strike sent bodies sprawling in the stands and the Reds to three points.

Chiesa, signed for an initial £10m a year ago, said afterwards: "I love the club. I'm playing for one of the best clubs in the world and I feel the passion of the fans. I feel the energy. Playing at Anfield is mesmerising - it's just incredible and I'm so happy to be here."

So what should the Reds do? To sell Chiesa would raise a relatively humble figure. To keep him around requires a trust in a body that has a history of breaking down with injury, as well as a faith he can deliver an adequate level of impact when called upon.

Perhaps most interestingly, how does a club or manager put a price or metric on cult-hero status? Should they even do so? Does such emotion have a place in the cut-throat nature of transfer business?

Those blessed with cult-hero status have an intangible quality in the way they can unify a fanbase, raise spirits in a dressing room and, somehow, occasionally find themselves at the centre of magic moments. How do you ascribe a value to that?

The Kop continues to "hear 'em crying in Turin" since Chiesa's Juventus exit. But how would you feel if he said "ciao" to Anfield?

What should Liverpool do with Chiesa? Tell us

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's opening Premier League fixtures.

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