It’s 6 times because it’s tax-free. But he already rejected it.
However, Isak could earn tons of endorsements with us. Salah is estimated to make £1m per week, although his wage is only £400k. Isak is likely to be the second hottest player and soon the hottest, so he could earn tons of money with us.
It all depends what he sees for himself. Come to Liverpool. Win the big prizes. Compete at the highest level. Make tens of millions of pounds, and then, after he has done the lot, if he is so inclined the Saudi money will still be there toward the end of his career.
Or take the Saudi dough now?
I’m chilled. If he goes there now, I’m happy to wish him well while recognizing he wasn’t for us. But if he sticks to his guns, he either comes to us, for a record fee; or he remains an unhappy player at Newcastle, because they priced him out of the move.
We’ll see what’s what soon enough.
I think I said about a week ago that there was a 10% chance of an Isak signing.
Now I’d say it’s closer to 50%, and if we sell Diaz or Nunez, it’ll go up to closer to 75%.
In that final scenario, the only way it doesn’t happen is if Newcastle manages to persuade him to stay for a massive wage increase. I don’t think he’ll go to Saudi and I doubt anyone else will come in for him. I also don’t think Newcastle will keep him against his wishes on his current deal - even as that is their right - as I think the squad will turn on him and it’ll quickly become toxic.
The worst kind of gilded cage
The Saudis really are glacial when making moves. I’ve noticed this.
We did have periods when we played 4-4-1-1 under Klopp, Firmino alongside or slightly behind Sturridge, or Salah. I’m just saying that the diamond structure is very rare in football. One could argue that a 4-3-3 with a false #9 isn’t too dissimilar to the diamond, but if we talk about the Milan 04/05 type of diamond (a clear #10 and two clear strikers) - that is very rare.
It’s like all they have going for them are unfathomable amounts of blood money.
Oh yeah, and I remember one time we played the diamond under Klopp, it was West Ham away in 16/17, one of the last must win games to secure CL football. We had Coutinho as the LCM, Lallana at #10 with Sturridge and Origi up top.
And they have to get someone to sign it off. It’s like our old finance manager.
The 4-3-3 with Fabinho as the lone DM and Bobby being behind Mo/Mane resembled a diamond too at times. It really isn’t that different.
We do not and should not find a structure or plan to fit players.
We buy to fit our system.
Yeah…
But what if c.a.t. really spells dog?
Ok Wirtz then… no one has yet explained how he fits into a rigid 4-3-3 system that we’ve already seemingly moved from anyhow.
Details matter in football, it is different.
Firmino, Salah and Mane is very different to Kaka, Crespo and Shevchenko (to give an example of what was a proper diamond).
I do not think this stuff is being pushed on Slot, if we do end up short on CB then we’ve certainly fucked up a bit but I do think these are already in process
The closest theory in mind which I have is that Isak is our absolute primary target to be our new #9 and we possibly view Ekitike’s fee as not such a risky one (or one that forces us to start him regularly), that there is re-sale value in that.
In some games or periods of games (especially when we have to break teams or chase), we might see both. I do understand that for a lot of these questions, as always, I’ll just have to wait to see how it looks on the pitch.
I was just about to write my justification for 4321 when I realised for Isak to come in, we almost certainly lose Diaz, which leaves us with two very central forwards and only 2 wide forwards… Assuming Diaz, Chiesa and Harvey gone, the reserve for either Salah or Gakpo would genuinely be a kid.
I am starting to agree with anyone suggesting an entirely narrow formation and that wide forwards as we know them will become a thing of our past.
Right now I am unsure what we are trying to build. Sure, I’m excited, but also a little worried about the style of players we are chasing.
Heres a detail.
We change mid game, we adapt, we are fluid.
Your analysis, though interesting and good isn’t what matters. You spend time trying to figure out shapes and a system when a team of analysts are working on systems, not a single model.
Slot was able to change midstream in matches last season. Without players of his choice for those changes. Maybe the addition of both Ekitite and Isak is moving towards a newer model or tactical set up.
Hopefully this is over next week, Isak is a Liverpool player and we start worrying about Guehi. Is he a false 4 or a deeper 6.
