Alexander Isak, who transferred to Liverpool for a British record £125 million last summer, has begun to show signs of justifying his fee in pre-season matches. After a difficult first season marred by injury and low scoring output, Isak found the net in Liverpool's 3-2 friendly defeat against Monaco on Sunday.
Isak's goal came during a fluid attacking move, a hallmark of manager Andoni Iraola's preferred style of play. The forward received a layoff and finished from 18 yards, contributing to an attacking performance that was more dynamic than in the previous season. Cody Gakpo also made a significant impact in attack, linking play effectively and being denied by a strong save from the Monaco goalkeeper. Youngster Lewis Koumas impressed on the opposite flank, showing attacking intent despite being considered raw.
Despite the positive attacking contributions, Liverpool's defense presented significant concerns. The team conceded three goals against Monaco, squandering a two-goal lead. This defensive fragility echoes issues from the previous season, and the situation has been compounded by injuries and player departures.
Jeremy Jacquet, a £60 million signing, is still recovering from shoulder surgery and has yet to feature in pre-season, raising concerns about depth at center-back with the season approaching. Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are also sidelined with injuries. The departure of Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid has further thinned the options, leaving only Jacquet, Gomez, and Leoni as recognized center-backs. Wataru Endo has been used in the role as a last resort.
Adding to the defensive challenges, teenage defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who partnered Virgil van Dijk capably for 45 minutes against Monaco, is ineligible to play competitive matches in England due to not yet possessing a work permit. He is expected to be loaned to a European club to gain experience and meet the requirements for a permit.
In response to these defensive shortages, Liverpool is reportedly pursuing a loan move for Barcelona's Ronald Araujo. His arrival is seen as crucial for strengthening the backline and providing much-needed depth, particularly with Jacquet's recovery timeline uncertain. His experience is expected to complement Virgil van Dijk and solidify a defense that conceded 53 goals in the Premier League last season.