Liverpool ‘assessing Isaksen move’ as Lijnders makes ‘special’ claim

Fenway Sports Group ‘fully committed’ to Liverpool amid report of club for sale

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Liverpool have reportedly sent scouts to keep tabs on Danish youngster Gustav Isaksen amid claims that a transfer could take place in January. Jurgen Klopp’s assistant, Pep Lijnders, discussed the Reds’ transfer policy on Tuesday and claimed that financial limitations put them under pressure to recruit ‘special’ players. 

Liverpool spent frugally in the summer, particularly compared to Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United. Darwin Nunez has received mixed reviews since arriving from Benfica in a big-money move, while teenage recruits Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay remain on the fringes. 

Klopp has previously spoken about the difficulty of competing with Manchester City, who are backed by vast wealth in the transfer market. Addressing the media in place of the German on Tuesday, Lijnders explained that future recruitment would rely on a prospective player bringing something ‘special’. 

“We cannot afford to buy and it not to be right,” he continued. “They have to add something new. [Diogo] Jota added something special, something right. [Ibrahima] Konate added something special, something right. It has to be right.”

JUST IN: Brazilian wonderkid Endrick’s stance on joining Chelsea, Real Madrid or PSG

According to reports from Danish outlet Ekstra Bladset, the next ‘special’ talent in Liverpool’s sights could be Midtjylland winger Isaksen. The 21-year-old is in the midst of his fourth season with the senior side and his output has come on leaps and bounds in 2022/23. 

With his goal tally already up to seven this season, including five goal contributions in six Europa League games, the Reds were supposedly among a host of top sides with scouts in the crowd for Monday’s showdown with Nordsjaelland. 

DON’T MISS
Four favourites to succeed Hasenhuttl at Southampton as manager ‘sacked’
Man Utd boss Ten Hag has two finished players in his squad after Villa defeat
Liverpool have a problem with their ‘young Messi’ for Klopp to think about

Isaksen was substituted in the final few minutes as the game finished 0-0 and it is currently unclear whether he managed to impress those keeping tabs on behalf of Liverpool. Reports from Italy have previously stated that Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham are also weighing up whether to make their move. 

The Premier League trio, along with Liverpool, have been given encouragement from senior Midtjylland figures as CEO Claus Steinlein claimed that a £17million fee would be enough to get the deal done in January. Furthermore, director of football Svend Graversen has suggested that Isaksen is likely to move on in the near future. 

The Denmark U21 international has spent all of his young career with Midtjylland, earning his first professional contract in 2019. He made just shy of 50 appearances in all competitions last campaign but things have kicked up a notch this term, not least in Europe. 

Isaksen was on target home and away against Lazio in the Europa League, who currently sit third in Serie A under the guidance of Maurizio Sarri. The Dane also scored at home to Feyenoord and he may get another chance to shine against Sporting Lisbon in the round of 16 play-offs after the World Cup – unless Liverpool decide to pull the trigger. 

Source: Read Full Article