Paul Merson Urges Liverpool To Forget About Alexander Isak And Focus On Serious Issue

Paul Merson has urged Liverpool to focus on fixing their leaky defence before worrying about Alexander Isak.

Isak has been a Reds transfer target all summer with the club hopeful of convincing Newcastle United to part ways with the Swede for around £110million.

The negotiations have since hit a roadblock with the Magpies refusing to sell despite Isak’s “bad behaviour” which has led to accusations of throwing his toys out the pram.

For former Arsenal star Merson, he told Sky Sports how he feels the backline at Anfield needs shored up more urgently than their attack.

Paul Merson explains why Liverpool should focus on their defence

They shipped goals in all but one of their pre-season friendlies against Stoke City – an issue which frustrated Virgil van Dijk – and Merse is adamant Arne Slot has to bolster his defence before focusing on any other position on the pitch.

“If I was Liverpool, I’d be looking more for a centre back than Isak,” he said. “That has to be the priority for Slot, whose main centre-back options are Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez.

“Compare that to the forward line and Slot has enough options going forward without needing Isak. (Hugo) Ekitike looked very good against Crystal Palace. (Florian) Wirtz is also a top player. Everyone is going to enjoy watching him play this season.

Liverpool told they need defender before Alexander Isak

“Throw in Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah and there are more than enough options there.

“Why the desperation for Isak when it’s obvious they so desperately need another defender? Adding Isak causes more problems, if anything, because all the forwards can’t all play.

“It’s so important that Liverpool get a defender in before the transfer window closes.

“They’ve also got the issue of Konate heading into the final year of his deal at Anfield. They won’t want a Trent situation again with him next summer.

“Then there’s Van Dijk. Everybody looks good next to him because he’s a Rolls Royce of a defender. He’s that good.

“But if he gets injured at all, I dread to think where they’d be. He’s a great, great player and the lynchpin of the defence. Without him, it’d be a big problem.”

Which defenders are Liverpool interested in this transfer window?

Slot has been busy in the market and one centre-half Liverpool are interested in is Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace.

We told you this week how the Englishman had been at the centre of a bid from Merseyside as they up the ante to land their target.

Another option is Parma’s towering stopper Giovanni Leoni. The 18-year-old is highly rated and could become a top star in the Premier League.