Is Isak the Answer to Liverpool’s No. 9 Question Under Arne Slot?
Newcastle’s star forward is delivering elite output — and as Darwin Núñez edges toward the exit, Isak’s profile looks tailor-made for Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
Introduction
Alexander Isak is having a standout season and it might just be the one that cements his place among Europe’s elite strikers. He’s already matched his output from last year and looks on track to surpass it. But beyond the numbers, he’s been decisive in moments that matter.
Last month, Isak broke Newcastle United’s 56-year trophy drought, scoring in the Carabao Cup final — a moment that will go down in club history. As someone with a soft spot for Newcastle (I believe they really might have the best fans in England), it was a special sight.
Now, he’s leading the Magpies toward another milestone: a return to European competition — and likely the Champions League. Just a year ago, Newcastle finished above Manchester United in the table but missed out on Europe due to United’s FA Cup win. Add to that some uncertainty at board level, and many fans were left wondering if that progress would stall.
Instead, Newcastle look stronger than ever and Isak is at the heart of it.
In this piece, we’ll explore what makes Isak such a unique and valuable forward, how he compares stylistically to Europe’s best, and why he could be the ideal No. 9 for Liverpool in the Arne Slot era.
A Striker Built for the Modern Game
Alexander Isak’s percentile chart for the 2024–25 season tells the story of a forward who checks all the right boxes and not just as a finisher, but as a complete modern No. 9.
He ranks in the 94th percentile for goals per 90 and 96th for goals per shot, signaling both volume and ruthless efficiency in front of goal. Isak isn’t just getting chances but he’s finishing them at a rate that puts him among Europe’s most clinical strikers.
But what elevates his profile further is what he does beyond scoring. He places in the 92nd percentile for non-penalty xG + Expected Assisted Goals, showing he creates chances for teammates while remaining a constant scoring threat himself. Add his 95th percentile rank in defensive goal-creating actions, and you start to understand why he’s such a fit for a high-pressing system.
Unlike traditional strikers who live only in the box, Isak contributes meaningfully in buildup, pressing phases, and in transitions. His radar shows a striker who’s as comfortable linking play as he is finishing it, exactly what Slot’s Liverpool would demand from a central forward.
Among Europe’s Top Finishers With Creative Upside
In the xG vs xAG scatterplot, Alexander Isak finds himself in strong company. Positioned in a cluster that includes Mbappé and Lewandowski, Isak stands out as a forward with serious goal-scoring weight with a non-penalty xG per 90 that reflects elite finishing output.
What’s notable, however, is that he isn’t a pure poacher. While not as assist-heavy as creative wingers like Dembélé or Barcola, Isak still shows respectable expected assisted goals (xAG) numbers, proving he’s capable of laying on chances when needed. His ability to combine with teammates, occupy central lanes, and play in tight spaces adds a subtle creative edge to his profile.
In other words, he’s not just a volume scorer, he can link play, drop in, and feed runners, making him a great fit for a more fluid, positional approach like Arne Slot’s Liverpool. He might not lead the league in assists, but he won’t be a black hole in build-up either.
For a club looking to upgrade Darwin Núñez with a more composed, efficient frontman, Isak offers balance, polish, and pedigree.
Stylistic Similarity: Isak’s Hybrid Profile
To better understand Isak's playing style, we applied cosine similarity to a wide set of advanced metrics including shooting, ball-carrying, creative output, and link-up play. The resulting chart offers a fascinating look at players who closely resemble Isak’s statistical fingerprint.
At the top of the list, we find:
Tim Kleindienst – an underrated Bundesliga striker with sharp movement and efficient finishing.
Alexander Sørloth and Mateo Retegui – physically imposing forwards who bring both presence and touch in front of goal.
Ousmane Dembélé – an intriguing match, likely reflecting Isak’s dribbling ability and unpredictability when drifting wide.
Patrik Schick, Ayoze Pérez, and even Mohamed Salah also rank highly — all players who thrive in half-space combinations, vertical movement, and hybrid roles.
What’s interesting is the range of archetypes Isak resembles: from classic strikers like Schick and Retegui to wide forwards like Salah and Dembélé. This versatility is what makes him so appealing to a club like Liverpool, especially under a manager like Arne Slot who values fluidity and intelligent movement in his front line.
Isak isn't boxed into one mode of attack, he stretches play, combines well, finishes cleanly, and can drift between lines. The similarity chart doesn’t just validate his skillset, it highlights just how adaptable and modern his profile is.
Why Breaking the Bank for Isak Might Make Sense
In today’s market, securing a complete forward with age, output, and upside on their side is rare. Alexander Isak checks all three boxes and while prying him away from Newcastle would require a significant investment, his numbers and stylistic versatility make a compelling case.
From the radar, we know he's not just a poacher. He’s efficient (94th percentile for goals per 90), sharp in build-up (95th percentile in defensive goal creating actions), and offers valuable movement both in and out of possession.
The xG vs xAG scatterplot reveals his offensive balance: while his primary weapon is finishing, he’s no passenger in creative play ranking closely with elite names like Mbappé and Lewandowski in chance generation and execution.
And the similarity model? It reinforces just how unique Isak is. He straddles the line between traditional 9s and modern wide-forwards which makes him a perfect fit for a fluid front line like Liverpool’s under Arne Slot. His mobility, technical security, and pressing ability would complement Salah (or his eventual successor), while offering more end-product consistency than Darwin Núñez or Cody Gakpo have provided in the same role.
This isn’t just a player with potential. This is a striker already producing at elite levels, one that could be the missing piece for any top team looking to rebuild or elevate their attacking identity.
Conclusion: A No. 9 Built for the Modern Game
Alexander Isak isn’t just having a good season, he’s making a statement. From helping Newcastle end a 56-year trophy drought to driving them back toward the Champions League, he’s proven he can deliver in big moments while maintaining elite output.
What sets him apart isn’t just goals, it’s how he scores them, and what he offers beyond. He’s efficient, creative, and tactically intelligent. His profile matches and even surpasses some of Europe’s most renowned strikers, yet he still feels like a player with room to grow.
If Liverpool, or any top club, decides to make a move, it will come at a premium. But in an era where true center-forwards who can do it all are scarce, Isak may be worth every penny. He's not just the future of the No. 9 role but he's already reshaping it.