During Jurgen Klopp’s time at Liverpool, the club had the opportunity to sign Alexander Isak for a bargain £63 million. But instead of pulling the trigger, the Reds chose a different route — spending £1 million more on a signing that has yet to meet expectations.
Fast-forward to 2025, and Liverpool are once again chasing Isak, now a Premier League star at Newcastle United. With Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike already bolstering the squad, manager Arne Slot could be ready to break transfer records to land the Swedish striker.
💥 Missed Opportunity in 2022 Back in the summer of 2022, Liverpool were actively strengthening their frontline. While Isak’s release clause at Real Sociedad made a deal straightforward, internal disagreements at Anfield prevented it from materializing. Klopp favored Darwin Núñez, impressed by his Champions League performances for Benfica — and Liverpool ultimately shelled out £64 million for the Uruguayan.
📊 The Numbers Don’t Lie At the time of their respective moves:
Isak had scored 10 goals across all competitions.
Núñez had netted 34.
Since then, however, Isak has shone under Eddie Howe, while Núñez has struggled to live up to expectations under Klopp.
🔄 Now the Tide Has Turned With Slot preparing for the 2025/26 season, Liverpool are looking to part ways with Núñez and finally bring in the player they passed on three years ago. A move for Isak now would require a hefty sum — likely more than they once hesitated to pay.
📈 Premier League Comparison: Isak vs Núñez
Stat Isak Núñez
Games 86 95
Minutes Played 6,566 4,861
Goals 54 25
Assists 10 16
Goal Contribution Ratio 1 every 1.34 games 1 every 2.31 games
⚠️ One thing is clear — had Liverpool made a different decision in 2022, Isak might already be wearing red at Anfield.
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