The Logic Gap in Liverpool’s Transfer Strategy: Why Rodrygo, Not Isak, Should Be the Priority
Liverpool are having their most active transfer window in years. The kind of window that forces even the most skeptical fans to admit: the club is finally acting like a heavyweight again. Florian Wirtz. Jeremie Frimpong. Giorgi Mamardashvili. Milos Kerkez. Hugo Ekitike. Real money. Real intent. Real ambition. And yet, despite the clear quality of business done so far, there’s a looming sense that something’s slightly off.
That “off” isn’t about the players signed, it’s about what comes next. More specifically, it’s about the club’s apparent fixation on Alexander Isak.
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Let’s be crystal clear: Isak is elite. But signing him now would not only be a confusing move structurally, it might actively block the smarter path forward. That path starts with recognising the real gaps in Liverpool’s squad and the timing that makes Rodrygo the most logical, most urgent, and most high-value addition.
Ekitike’s Arrival Changed the Picture
Liverpool didn’t just buy a prospect when they signed Hugo Ekitike. They paid nearly £80m for a striker who was chased hard by both themselves and Newcastle. That detail matters, because Newcastle viewed Ekitike as a direct contingency for selling Isak to Liverpool. But Liverpool got in first. They got their man. And in doing so, they essentially killed the Isak exit for Newcastle.
So why are they still chasing him?
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Unless Arne Slot is planning to play both strikers every week, which feels unlikely, signing Isak now muddies the waters. It introduces a positional logjam just as Liverpool are trying to bed in a new tactical identity. And it risks slowing or sidelining the development of a player they clearly believe in.
Isak Can Wait – Literally
There’s also the timeline to consider. Alexander Isak’s current deal with Newcastle runs until 2028, and all indications suggest he’s not going to renew. He wants to leave. If Liverpool are serious about signing him, they can wait until next summer when the price drops, or even take advantage of a free move in three years.
There’s no urgency here. And that’s exactly why it would be a mistake to drop £120m+ on a player they arguably don’t need right now.
Rodrygo Is the Player You Can’t Miss
Unlike Isak, Rodrygo should be the priority. With Luis Díaz sold and Federico Chiesa likely to follow, Liverpool are thin on wide options. Cody Gakpo is better central. Mohamed Salah isn’t going to play every minute. And the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, a key wide and central option, left a genuine tactical void. Jota’s pressing, versatility, and finishing were crucial to Liverpool’s fluid front line.
Rodrygo, stylistically, is the perfect heir. He can play off either wing. He can stretch a defence. He’s decisive in the final third. And crucially, he doesn’t disrupt what’s already being built around Ekitike. This is a player entering his prime, being quietly edged out of a Real Madrid side stacked with generational talent. He wants minutes. He wants status. And Liverpool can offer both. Timing matters. So does squad balance. Rodrygo fixes a glaring need. Isak adds to a pile-up.
Konaté and the Swap Deal That Makes Sense
There’s also the Konaté question. He’s not renewing either. His contract is running down, and Real Madrid are circling. Liverpool are at risk of losing another asset for free, or close to it, just like they did with Trent.
So why not go bold?
A Konaté-plus-cash deal for Rodrygo isn’t just workable, it’s arguably perfect for all parties. Madrid get their centre-back. Liverpool get their Díaz replacement. And the financials make sense. With Slot needing two centre-backs anyway, losing Konaté now might actually help push that refresh forward sooner.
Address the Real Gaps
It’s not about whether Isak is good enough. He is. It’s about timing. It’s about need. And it’s about clarity.
- Liverpool already have their central striker in Hugo Ekitike.
- They urgently need wide reinforcements.
- They urgently need centre-backs. Two, if Konaté leaves.
Signing Isak now takes money and attention away from solving the issues that could derail the season before it even begins. Liverpool are building something real under Arne Slot. But if they want this project to stick, the next move needs to be smart. Not just shiny. And right now, the smartest move is Rodrygo.
By Emma Robinson / @emmz_rob
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Pressinphoto / Icon Sport