Arne Slot insists Liverpool already possess the attacking firepower to defend their Premier League crown even if prime target Alexander Isak does not arrive before the transfer window closes.
The Reds make the trip to St James’ Park on Monday night looking to make it back-to-back wins at the start of their title defence. But the fixture comes against a backdrop of tension, with the ongoing Isak saga dominating headlines and stoking animosity on Tyneside.
Liverpool saw a £110 million bid for the Sweden international rejected last month and, although the striker has made clear his desire to move to Anfield, Newcastle United remain determined to dig their heels in. The situation has only inflamed feelings among the home support, who are expected to create a hostile atmosphere when Slot’s side arrive.
Yet, the Dutchman is adamant Liverpool can cope whether or not a deal gets done, pointing to the depth and versatility of his forward line.
“It depends how you want to look at it. If you want to add Florian Wirtz as an attacking option then you can make it five, so yeah, we’ve sold Darwin [Núñez] and brought in Hugo [Ekitike]. Lucho [Luis Díaz] has gone, you can maybe see Florian as a replacement for that.
Yes, we all know what happened to Diogo [Jota]. If you look at it like this, maybe we haven’t [got enough options]. But Jeremie Frimpong, when he is fit, is definitely an option to play as a winger as well, so then we end up at six forwards!”
Slot has been keen to stress the transformative role of summer signing Florian Wirtz, who he believes can develop into a ‘false nine’ option as well as playing across the front line. The German international made his league debut against Bournemouth last weekend, showing flashes of quality but also struggling with the sheer speed of the Premier League.
“I would consider him for more games in that [false nine] position. But there were games last season — Man City and Aston Villa away — where we played with an extra midfielder like Curtis Jones.
But it depends not only on bringing in an extra midfielder but it depends on tactics, how they line up, all these kinds of things. He is already an option to play as a left winger and he can be an option for the upcoming game. Cody [Gakpo] played a good game against Bournemouth as well.”
Against the Cherries, Liverpool had to rely on the bench when the game swung back to 2-2, and Slot admitted he was left with just two striking alternatives — Federico Chiesa and 16-year-old academy prospect Rio Ngumoha.
Chiesa ultimately came to the rescue with an 88th-minute winner, but the comparison with last season, when Slot could call upon Diogo Jota, Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz, underlines why some supporters remain concerned about depth.
Still, Slot is keen to show faith in his current options and believes there is more than enough variety in attack to sustain another title charge, even with Mo Salah likely to miss up to six games due to the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
The Liverpool boss has also handled the Isak saga carefully, wary of further straining the relationship with Newcastle. He admits to having sympathy for Eddie Howe, whom he believes is destined to one day manage England.
“I have sympathy for Eddie [Howe]. I think he is a great human being, he is always polite and that is my general feeling about him. It is maybe no coincidence I have texted him as he is a very honest and polite colleague.
For the rest, I don’t need to have sympathy for a manager that can still play Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Anthony Elanga, Jacob Murphy.”
Slot, though, is under no illusions about the challenge awaiting his side on Monday evening.
“It was very intense the last time we played there. And it always is when they play at home, let alone an evening game, it is always so, so, so intense.
So I am not sure if this is an extra reason for them. I am not even sure if that is what the players and the manager are thinking as well. Social media and people write a lot but is this truly what the players and the manager is thinking? I don’t know, I have no clue. What I do know is we’re going to face a very, very good team and that is even more difficult than playing in that stadium, with their fans.”
With the transfer window entering its final week, questions will continue to swirl over whether Liverpool will return with another bid for Isak.
But while the saga rumbles on, Slot has made clear he is happy with what he already has and is banking on his new-look forward line to deliver once again during the 2025–26 campaign, as well as at one of the most hostile venues in the league.
