Reason Alexander Isak's Newcastle strike would not happen at Liverpool in Arne Slot swipe

Liverpool refused to pursue alternative targets. Instead, they remained patient and held firm for Alexander Isak. Whilst there may not have been many - or indeed any - superior strikers available, there would certainly have been simpler transactions to complete.

Isak, 25, had downed tools and Newcastle were refusing to entertain discussions after rejecting an initial £110million bid from the Reds. Liverpool were forced to wait as the Magpies missed out on numerous striker targets whilst their Europe-wide hunt for a potential Isak replacement nearly descended into chaos. Yet they refused to panic and look elsewhere.

They were confident they would secure their man. So the question was, beyond the obvious goalscoring prowess, why did it have to be Isak or nobody else, particularly after securing Hugo Ekitike earlier in the window?

It was quite simply the fact that 54 of his career goals have arrived in 86 Premier League appearances.

"I think many reasons but one that maybe stands out for me is that he has already shown this in the Premier League," said Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

"I think he is the only exception we made in terms of signings, he is a little bit older than the rest - still quite young but a bit older and showed himself in the Premier League. We know that if he stays fit, he will be able to score goals for us.

For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express LFC newsletter.

"What he adds as well is enormous pace and he can score with both feet, with his head, all these kind of things, that he has already done this in the Premier League is of course something extra."

Isak, who could make his debut from the bench in tomorrow's clash with Burnley at Turf Moor, has faced criticism for the manner in which he engineered his switch to Anfield.

The Sweden forward declined to participate in pre-season training and worked in isolation, which compelled Eddie Howe's hand at St James' Park.

This has justifiably sparked concerns regarding his mentality and temperament. However, Slot harbours no such worries about similar behaviour occurring at Liverpool.

He maintains the club represents a destination where, provided the appropriate fee is secured, they permit players to depart without the necessity to engineer an exit.

"No, not at all," he said. "It is not necessary at our club because we also trade players. If a player wants to leave and we get the right money for him then this club has shown for so many years now that we then do sell.

"At this club it is not necessary at all to go on strike. I think it will have the opposite effect. You can keep on training here and Harvey [Elliott] gets his transfer, Tyler Morton gets his transfer.

"There were maybe 8-9-10 players in the last window who just conducted themselves in the best possible way and we are a club that is trading so maybe write this down for every agent that has a player here, it is not necessary.

"If the right price is paid by the right club for the right player then this club has shown we always do sell because we need this to get our players in. That is different. That is a very positive thing at this club: you get your transfer if everyone is happy."