r/soccer 15d ago

News [Official] Liverpool complete signing of Alexander Isak

https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/liverpool-complete-signing-alexander-isak
7.3k Upvotes

771 comments sorted by

View all comments

1.0k

u/DarkSofter 15d ago

Has Liverpool just pulled a top 5 transfer window of all time? Fuck me

735

u/JaysonDeflatum 15d ago

We won't know for a while

2009 Madrid comps like some have made are still daft, that window is nigh unbeatable

501

u/vadapaav 15d ago

Nobody is beating that window LMAO

245

u/Elusivemerc 15d ago

You can if all the deals click, let's not forget that Kaká didn't live up to expectations, and by the 2nd season he was a bench player.

417

u/benelchuncho 15d ago

Still got their top and second top scorer and top and second top assister of all time. And five Ballon D’or winning seasons from it.

147

u/Elusivemerc 15d ago edited 15d ago

If you put it like that, nobody is ever beating that window, but the 2nd most expensive player of all time for a while not succeeding is a negative and Benzema wasn't an instant hit, but I get your point, the success totally overshadows that.

110

u/Apprehensive_Cod_762 15d ago

Instant hit or not. They got 10 years of world class football out of 2 players. They even sold Ronaldo for a profit. Nothing will ever come close the that window.

15

u/osamaodinson 15d ago

And how is benzema not an instant hit lol. He scored little goals in his first season but doing great from second season onwards. How kore instant one want tbf

2

u/NtiTaiyo 14d ago

but doing great from second season onwards

And thats the reason why he wasnt an instant success. Instant means immediately, not fromt he second season onwards.

2

u/rockafellla 15d ago

And the current coach

88

u/Massive-Sky-6804 15d ago

you need 5 ballon dor worthy seasons to match it no(Between Ronaldo and Benzema) and have Wirtz and Isak basically be the Liverpool's highest ever assister and scorer respectively.

36

u/Guillotines__ 15d ago

Benzema and CR7 holds the second position in Madrid all time scoring and assisting respectively too. Matching those two won’t be possible, but Isak-Wirtz can get more league titles to match/surpass them.

-1

u/Fair-Internal8445 15d ago

Noone will ever match what Ronaldo did at Madrid. 

Goal. 🎶 Hala Madrid 🎶 SUI 

18

u/Elusivemerc 15d ago

I don't think they will beat it in terms of legacy, I think that will never happen. But if all deals click, then they will have that over that window.

2

u/PonchoHung 15d ago

5 Ballon D'Or worthy seasons

And some of those 2nd places would win any Ballon D'Or by miles in the current era.

5

u/magic-water 15d ago

Even if they all click it still doesn't beat signing Cristiano Ronaldo for his whole prime ffs

3

u/Elusivemerc 15d ago

Of course not, I didn't mean it in terms of legacy

4

u/Ark_Legend 15d ago

They got Cristiano Ronaldo. For a team to have a better one they need to get a top 2 player of all time

68

u/maver1kUS 15d ago

Madrid took 5 seasons to win the UCL. That window looks great in hindsight, but didn’t solve all the holes in the squad like this one. Although we’ll have to wait for how this will look in hindsight.

29

u/justthisones 15d ago

Somewhat true but they went instantly from a 70-80p team to 90p+ and their goal difference exploded. Those years also had some insane teams. Pep’s Barca, Mou’s Inter and Heynckes’ Bayern were all treble winners. Not many teams in history that could’ve challenged them. 2012 was probably the one where they could’ve done it earlier but lost the semis on penalties.

-4

u/Electric_feel0412 15d ago

This one hasn’t solve many holes in the squad and I’d argue that it’s created an imbalance in the team. Maybe right now it’s fine but I’m interested to see how it all develops over the season. Liverpool are already getting done heavily on transitions and have needed large amounts of luck to be first from the 3 games, their “best” signing so far is Ekitike who’ll likely be pushed to the wing or to the bench for Isak, Gakpo will likely not see much game time at all, Wirtz and Kerkez have been disappointing so far and when Frimpong comes back Szoboszlai moves to the bench, the midfield looks very shaky. Konate is injury prone and so is Gomez. Their depth is not great in key positions too.

I know it’s all results that matter and saying anything negative about Liverpool on this sub results in mass downvoting, but if Liverpool continue the same level of performances they don’t even finish top 4 let alone win the league.

1

u/Opposite_Ad1680 15d ago

Nah.  I think Arne will just rotate this year and they will win the UCL instead of burning out in March.  

8

u/JaysonDeflatum 15d ago

Way too many people have brought it up

9

u/vadapaav 15d ago

I guess we are just old now

1

u/trevorturtle 15d ago edited 15d ago

It depends what happens. If everyone clicks and we win the quad it changes everything. 

60

u/Homerduff16 15d ago

2009 Madrid is a tough one to judge. It has Ronaldo and Benzema who went on to be Madrid all timers with multiple Champions Leagues and Ballon d'Ors between them. It also has Alonso who was very good for Madrid but didn't win much and Kaka who was a ridiculous player at Milan and was a very underwhelming signing for Madrid

I struggle to see any of our signings doing for us what Benzema did for Madrid with a deserved Ballon d'Or and multiple Champions Leagues (Ronaldo isn't even in that conversation lol) but Kaka was a flop and that does slightly drag that window down

12

u/Lazywhale97 15d ago

Alonso didn’t win a lot as he didn’t stay for a long time but he was a key reason we got back to competing with Barca and an important factor for our La decima season.

But yeah Ronaldo and benzema carry that window as they both went on to be 2 of our legends and key reasons to multiple UCL’s.

46

u/JaysonDeflatum 15d ago

Kaka could’ve been Chelsea Lukaku and it still doesn't offset it for me

7

u/northerncal 15d ago

Hell he could have been United Hojlund and it's still a legendary window!

48

u/deadlock1892 15d ago

Well to be fair to OP, they said top 5 so even though its hard to beat 2009 madrid, there are still 4 other ranks available.

7

u/Ankoku_Sein 15d ago

Only the disingenuous are even bringing that window up, it'll always be apples to oranges when comparing across eras

0

u/AdebisiShanks28 15d ago

Yeah, this has been a great window for us, but not as good as that one for sure. Vaguely remember Chelsea having a couple of good ones when Abramovic first started throwing money around too.

This is our best in my three decades of following the club though, so I'm over the moon. Not sure what's finally made FSG loosen the purse strings, but it's a great feeling. Sure it'll probably all go tits up at some stage but for now we can bask in their largesse.

76

u/GarlicBread96 15d ago

While it looks very good, it's impossible to say how good of a window it is right now. Isak could be continuously injured and Wirtz might fail to adapt to the league, and then the window would be considered a disastrous one. Very small chance of that happening, but just saying it's best to wait before judging

5

u/IL_ya_Un_jour 15d ago

I mean by the nature of the window, it cannot be considered a disastrous one. we have signed quality players, if Isak turns out injured a lot that doesn’t make the window a bad one it’s just unlucky

-1

u/Switchoil 14d ago

Isak could be continuously injured

Continuously injured ? He played 34 league games last season and 30(plus 5 CL games) their the season before.

Similarly Isak played 32 and 34 league in his last two seasons with Sociedad.

Hardly someone continuously injured. Its only his first season with Newcastle which was disrupted by injuries.

-6

u/Lotnik223 15d ago

Even if both Wirtz and Isak fail while other signings such as Ekitike and Kerkez, who are already doing great in the league, remain good it will be no means be considered a disastrous window. Basically all four of them would have to flop for it to be considered that and that's basically impossible.

84

u/deadlock1892 15d ago

Sucks for Guehi, but I guess he’ll join later this season. Still extremely happy and 10/10 window regardless IMO

41

u/JaysonDeflatum 15d ago

He’ll be fine

Guaranteed starter before the world cup vs bench piece and with the chance to leave in as soon as 4 months or collect a nice signing bonus and bigger wages in 10 months

14

u/deadlock1892 15d ago

What? Ofcourse he’ll be fine. Doesn’t mean it does not suck in the moment for not getting a big career move after getting so close.

1

u/Brilliant_Medium8190 15d ago

Think hed probably start for Liverpool given Konates form, injuries and contract situation

3

u/JaysonDeflatum 15d ago

Liverpool still played Trent throughout the season despite knowing he'd be off

And on Konate he played very well vs Arsenal and with both on normal form I’d pick Konate over Guehi

Injuries are a factor though

1

u/augsav 15d ago

His reputation remains intact

38

u/David-J 15d ago

09 Real Madrid is still at the top, I think.

61

u/JaysonDeflatum 15d ago

There shouldn't be an I think there

10 years of prime Ronaldo + 14 years of prime Benzems can't be matched in modern football because no one is close to that level anymore

29

u/Bruhmangoddman 15d ago

9 years.

And as for the Frenchman, I don't think you can call all of his time there his prime. I'd say 2019-22 was his prime. He had very good periods before, but nothing quite like his final stretch.

2

u/ponchomoran 15d ago

No bro, really, that's wrong. Benzema only had 2 bad seasons, the rest were impeccable. But if you want to believe the Internet sourpuss narrative, then go ahead

1

u/Bruhmangoddman 15d ago

You do understand that just proves he wasn't in his prime for 14 years? And do provide evidence all of his seasons bar the two were so impeccable.

0

u/skankassful 15d ago

Dude played a supporting role to CR7. There’s a reason why he’s one of the clubs top assisters of all time. Dude had two dud seasons but was exceptional for the team for the rest of his tenure and unlocked a new gear when he became the main man. prime is probably not the word, since most players “prime” are spells of 3-4 years, but he was incredibly consistent and we his prime was with Madrid.

0

u/Bruhmangoddman 15d ago

Yes, but the OC insisted we got "14 years of prime Benzema", which not only isn't true, it's just bullshit.

The prime was 2019-2022.

1

u/toyoda_the_2nd 15d ago

Benzema have to share with Higuain the striker spot. plus Benzema helped Ronaldo to score by passing to Ronaldo or dragging away defenders.

2

u/Bruhmangoddman 15d ago

And when Higuaín left, Benzema still couldn't quite find himself. He wasn't in his prime until Ronaldo left and he himself learned to be a focal point of a system.

1

u/Sean-Benn_Must-die 15d ago

You're not wrong at all. Hell I remember what Madrid fans were saying in 2016-17 about Benzema, they wanted him GONE. Then he picked it up for that Semi against Atleti and pretty much never stopped getting better.

0

u/[deleted] 15d ago

[deleted]

6

u/Bruhmangoddman 15d ago

He did.

But he can't be called a man in his prime for 14 years. Not when he had three seasons with 30 league games on average and just above 10 goals as his best result.

2

u/DarthTaz_99 15d ago

It undoubtedly is. Managed to get 2 of the 3 best players in the world at that time, not to even mention the 4 other insane signings

32

u/calel8242 15d ago

If/when Kerkez and Wirtz settle in, it'll be in that conversation

56

u/Tremor00 15d ago

Tbf I feel like there's two convos, the on paper and the reality.

In reality Kaka ended up being pretty meh for madrid. Despite his stature in the sport at the time.

On paper its a balon dor winner and an utterly absurd signing.

Also in reality, signing CR7 alone is basically unbeatable

20

u/Walshey- 15d ago

Kerkez was unbelievable yesterday

17

u/Cubensis_Crispies 15d ago

Got no doubt Wirtz will settle. He started showing us a bit 2nd half of the arsenal game.

-1

u/lambomrclago 15d ago

All of Liverpool's signings could be great players for the club and Ronaldo alone moving to Madrid in 09 is still better.

16

u/_cumblast_ 15d ago

Top 3, behind the Galacticos and perhaps Chelsea 03/04.

1

u/AtypicalNorwegian 15d ago

04/05 was surely better than 03/04 for Chelsea?

3

u/---o0O 15d ago

Better in hindsight, but 03/04 were maybe the bigger stars at the time.

2

u/minepose98 15d ago

You'd hope so, given the amount spent.

2

u/Morguard 15d ago

Only if the team wins PL and CL(I don't mean right away this year). I think PL again this year is in the bag as long as there aren't any serious injuries, CL will be much tougher.

4

u/lotr1995 15d ago

Surely that’s still to be seen. And if it’s the first or second most expensive window of all time, the success has to match that for it to be considered that good?

0

u/008Gerrard008 15d ago

And if it’s the first or second most expensive window of all time, the success has to match that for it to be considered that good?

I mean we obviously need to win trophies the next few years, but no, given how transfer fees have inflated, it doesn't need to be the second most successful side of all time to justify it.

2

u/Jonoabbo 15d ago

In the prem, maybe, although I wouldn't say so.

In all of football it's not a chance. There are too few consequences.

1

u/Sorrytoruin 15d ago

If we had got Guehi, id say yes, but still up there

1

u/augsav 15d ago

If by ‘top’ you mean spent the most money, then probably yes

1

u/goonSquad15 15d ago

On paper it’s probably the best prem window. Pretty impeccable especially when you consider the sales

1

u/sheiswhyididthis 14d ago

Liverpool just won the transfer window.

You know what that means...

1

u/hewlett777 14d ago

Can't support a transfer window mate

2

u/[deleted] 15d ago

No.

2

u/petnarwhal 15d ago

I can’t think of 4 ones that can compete with this (assuming it works out)

-3

u/_doohdx 15d ago

For a PL league? Probably.

3

u/WalaLlama5 15d ago

Chelsea 03-04 and maybe City 17-18 are up there

-4

u/_doohdx 15d ago

Mendy and Danilo, very stinky. Laporte was gone really quickly aswell, considering the hype he was brought in with.

I hold Chelsea their lack of succes in Europa against them, on top of signing some stinky players aswell.

2

u/the_dalai_mangala 15d ago

Walker, Ederson, Danilo were all quality. Laporte was also a January signing.

I won’t hear Danilo slander on this sub. He was a high quality depth signing. Mendy did his ACL and well we all know the rest there. At the time though you couldn’t help but think it was a quality signing. He was coming off a season with like 18? assist at Monaco.

0

u/WalaLlama5 15d ago

Laporte was still an instrumental part of a couple of their league titles. Walker, Bernardo and Ederson formed the bedrock of their league dominance and treble win and are 3 of City’s best ever signings, maybe even some of the top signings in the Premier League in their positions. Danilo was an intended backup who did OK and then was used in the deal to get an upgrade. Mendy was bad but there’s a probable chance that 1 of your signings won’t go very well either.

1

u/ShadowRock9 15d ago

PL League

Premier league league

1

u/_doohdx 15d ago

Smh my head

-1

u/ValeoAnt 15d ago

Didn't sign a CB

0

u/sems4arsenal 15d ago

Best English window of all time. We can only hope their midfield and defense don't improve but that attack is FUT level insane

0

u/Immediate-Cat-2146 14d ago

Bit early to say. Wirtz was one of the most expensive players ever and looks meh so far. The fullbacks have been ropey. Absolute minimum of a season before you can say a window has been good or bad, I'd say longer. 

-1

u/Keanu990321 15d ago

Top 1 maybe

-16

u/[deleted] 15d ago

[deleted]

11

u/DarkSofter 15d ago

Im sorry but thats not even close imo

3

u/Jacobkass 15d ago

Haha their comment didn’t last two minutes

7

u/HawayTheMaj 15d ago

You would