Virgil van Dijk will undoubtedly go down as one of the best signings in Liverpool history, that’s despite costing a small fortune after joining the club back in January 2018.
The Dutchman cost a staggering £75m from Southampton, a fee that broke the record for the biggest fee paid for a defender, but to this day it appears to be a bargain.
Despite suffering an ACL injury a few years back, he’s managed to rack up 319 appearances for the Reds, winning six major honours during his seven-year spell at Anfield.
He played a key role in the Premier League triumph under Arne Slot last season, hoping to replicate such a success in 2025/26 after signing a new contract over the last few months.
However, if he and his compatriot are to once again finish at the top of the table once more, added additions may be needed, that’s despite already spending nearly £300m already this window.
The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new additions this summer
After being told he’s free to leave Real Madrid this summer, Brazilian winger Rodrygo has been a player who has emerged on Liverpool’s shortlist over recent weeks.
The 24-year-old could cost a pretty penny this window, with the Spanish giants demanding over £80m to offload the star who scored 14 times in all competitions last season.
However, in an attempt to further bolster their front line, Slot may look past a deal for Rodrygo, subsequently prioritising a move for Alexander Isak, according to The Standard.
They claim that, despite rumours of leaving talks for the Newcastle United striker, the hierarchy are preparing a second bid to try and land the Swedish international this summer.
It also states that the player himself still wants a move to Merseyside in the near future, but a deal would see the club break the English record once again, with a £150m price tag currently mooted.
Why Liverpool’s latest target would be a repeat of Van Dijk
As previously mentioned, Van Dijk has been one of the leading talents in England’s top-flight, showcasing the excellent work conducted by the hierarchy in recent times.
Eyes were certainly raised given the mammoth fee forked out for his signature, but he’s only been dribbled past 47 times in his seven years at Merseyside – a truly staggering number given his longevity in the side.
Last season alone, the 34-year-old won 72% of the aerial battles he entered, scoring three goals, all with his head, highlighting the dominance he possesses at both ends of the pitch.
Such a deal will go down as one of the most effective in the Reds’ history, having the opportunity to land a deal as big as the Dutchman’s in the coming weeks.
Isak could follow Van Dijk in costing the club a record fee from another Premier League side, but like the Dutchman, any deal would hand the side the needed improvement to reach the next level.
When delving into his stats from the most recent campaign, the 25-year-old managed to register 23 league goals last season, with Reds forward Mohamed Salah the only player to notch a higher tally.
The Swede, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Statman Dave, also achieved a tally of 1.5 shots on target per 90, ranking him within the top 10% of all players in the division, showcasing the threat he poses in attacking areas.
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Alexander Isak’s PL stats for Newcastle throughout 2024/25 |
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|---|---|
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Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
34 |
|
Goals & assists |
29 |
|
Pass accuracy |
78% |
|
Shots on target per 90 |
1.5 |
|
Chances created |
1.4 |
|
Dribbles completed |
1.4 |
|
Touches in opposition box |
6.9 |
|
Aerials won |
1.8 |
|
Stats via FotMob |
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He also completed 78% of the passes he attempted, whilst creating 1.4 chances for his teammates, having the all-round ability to link up with the players around him – subsequently making him a greater threat to the opposition.
Whilst Salah posted a mammoth tally of goals last season, the Egyptian will need support in the final third to help the Reds retain their crown within the 2025/26 campaign.
Isak would offer just that, potentially being worth every penny, especially if he can replicate the success he’s enjoyed at St James’ Park, which has seen him net 54 goals in 86 top-flight outings.
Splashing huge cash on other players in England’s top-flight isn’t alien to Liverpool, with Isak having the chance to be the next star in that trend, arguably being a great deal if he can replicate Van Dijk’s success at the club.
