How could Liverpool’s attack now line up after record-breaking Alexander Isak transfer | OneFootball

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot can call upon an array of attacking options which’d be the envy of almost every manager in world football.

The Reds spent more than £400m on new signings this summer, the bulk of which was put towards deals for Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and – in the most expensive transfer ever made by a British club – Alexander Isak.

That trio join an LFC attack which also includes Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo (52 goals between them last season), along with Federico Chiesa and teenage gem Rio Ngumoha in reserve.

Much like players of 5 lions megaways, Slot will be hoping for a winning combination up front for Liverpool, although deciding between the riches of attacking options could present headaches of its own.

Image via Liverpool FC

How could Liverpool’s attack now line up after the arrival of Isak?

In the likelihood that Slot largely sticks with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, that’ll leave room for two wingers, a number 10 and a centre-forward.

The simplest combination – if everyone is deployed in their natural positions – is for Wirtz to line up just behind Isak, with Salah on the right and Gakpo on the left.

However, that leaves no room for Ekitike, and it’d be harsh to drop the Frenchman after a very impressive start to life at Liverpool, having scored in each of his first three competitive games for the club.

The necessity for squad rotation and the possibility of injuries throughout the season should ensure that all of Slot’s attackers enjoy abundant game-time, but he’d still have to omit at least one of the aforementioned quintet whenever all of them are available.

Could Gakpo’s place in the Liverpool starting XI be under threat?

For the most part, three places in the Reds’ front four appear to be nailed down. Despite an untypically slow start to the season (just one goal in four matches), Salah’s place on the right flank isn’t in any danger; while Liverpool didn’t spend the bones of £250m on Isak and Wirtz to leave them stewing on the bench.

The current starter who could be most at risk of losing his place is Gakpo, prolific in 2024/25 but – like Salah – with only the one goal so far this term. Ngumoha is his natural left-sided understudy, but the 17-year-old isn’t likely to be entrusted with regular starts in his first season as a senior player.

(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Could Ekitike potentially move out wide to accommodate Isak? It doesn’t seem likely – the Frenchman has played as a left winger just four times in his career, and not since the 2021/22 season when he was at Reims.

We haven’t even mentioned Dominik Szoboszlai, who’s excelled as a makeshift right-back of late but is naturally a number 10. If he’s to be utilised in his most familiar role, that’d mean either omitting or redeploying Wirtz.

The German is quite versatile, having played on both flanks and as a centre-forward in his career, although those positions wouldn’t appear to get the best out of his playmaking qualities.

In reality, Slot will continually have to disappoint at least one attacker who’s worthy of a start, even with the necessity for rotation?

It’s not the easiest dilemma to solve, but it sure beats being forced to rely on untested academy products before they’re ready, or shoehorning midfielders into a makeshift front three!