Liverpool have spent an enormous amount of money on Alexander Isak.
Now they need to give him the tools to succeed.
For me, one of the biggest priorities for Liverpool before the transfer window closes should be adding genuine pace and directness to the wide areas.
Because having a world-class No.9 is only part of the equation.
You have to get him the ball.
Isak needs runners around him
Alexander Isak is at his best when defenders are being stretched.
His movement is intelligent.
He can drop into space.
He can run behind.
He can drift into channels.
And when he gets isolated against a defender, he has the ability to create something himself.
But if Liverpool’s wingers aren’t providing enough pace and width, opponents can simply keep the pitch compact.
That makes Isak’s job much harder.
Liverpool need players who can make defenders turn and run towards their own goal.
This is why pace matters
Imagine Isak playing through the middle with two explosive wingers either side of him.
If the opposition full-backs push forward, Liverpool can immediately look for the space behind them.
If they stay deep, Liverpool’s wingers can receive the ball and attack them one-on-one.
If the centre-backs move towards Isak, the wingers can exploit the gaps.
Suddenly, defenders have difficult decisions to make.
That’s what you want.
You want the opposition defence constantly asking questions.
👀 Isak shouldn’t have to do everything himself
One of the biggest dangers is expecting Isak to be the solution to every attacking problem.
Liverpool have invested heavily in him because he’s capable of scoring goals.
But he needs chances.
And chances don’t simply appear.
They are created by movement, passing, width, crosses, cut-backs and players running beyond defenders.
The Times has highlighted just how important Isak is to Liverpool’s new project, particularly with Mohamed Salah’s departure and Hugo Ekitike’s injury leaving greater responsibility on the Swedish striker.
That makes the players around him even more important.
We need wingers who scare defenders
This is why I understand Liverpool’s interest in players such as Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh.
They offer something Liverpool desperately need:
Explosiveness.
Barcola can accelerate past defenders.
Minteh can carry the ball at frightening speed.
Those players don’t simply provide goals and assists.
They change the way an opposition defence has to set up.
And that could ultimately create more opportunities for Isak.
Wirtz and Isak need space
There’s another reason I’m excited about this.
Florian Wirtz and Isak.
We’ve already seen glimpses of what their partnership could become.
Wirtz wants to receive the ball between the lines.
Isak wants to find space in front of and behind the defence.
But imagine adding a winger who is capable of sprinting beyond his full-back at the same time.
The opposition suddenly has three problems to deal with.
They can’t simply concentrate on stopping Wirtz finding Isak.
Liverpool’s attack needs balance
Liverpool don’t necessarily need three players who are constantly trying to beat defenders.
But they absolutely need threats in behind.
That’s what makes a striker like Isak even more dangerous.
If defenders know Liverpool’s wingers can run beyond them, they can’t simply squeeze the pitch.
That creates the little pockets of space where Isak can thrive.
And if they drop deeper to protect the space behind them?
Liverpool’s midfielders and Wirtz get more room.
That’s the beauty of having genuine pace.
It creates space even when the fast player doesn’t touch the ball.
This is why I think Liverpool need another winger
The new season is going to put enormous pressure on Isak.
He has arrived with a huge price tag and has already been labelled Liverpool’s potential X-factor.
But Liverpool shouldn’t simply expect him to produce magic from nothing.
They need to build an attack around his strengths.
And that means giving him service.
Give him runners.
Give him width.
Give him crosses.
Give him through balls.
Give him wingers who can stretch defences.
Liverpool have their No.9.
Now they need to give him ammunition.
Because if Liverpool can surround Alexander Isak with enough pace and creativity, I genuinely believe we could see a completely different striker this season.
Isak can score the goals.
Wirtz can create the chances.
But Liverpool need those explosive wingers to make the whole attack click.
And if they get that right, this Liverpool attack could be frightening.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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