Alexander Isak vs Julian Alvarez – Here’s Why Liverpool Have an Easy Choice

A dream debut season at Liverpool is nearly complete for Arne Slot, with the Reds seemingly just a few games away from being crowned Premier League champions. Given the lack of reinforcements made at the start of the season, to see where the Anfield outfit are heading into the final couple of months of the campaign is staggering, but one eye has to go towards next term.

With the possibility that Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah could all depart in the summer, some big fresh faces will be needed. Especially if the Egyptian fails to secure a new deal, the Merseysiders will be in desperate need of a new striker to replace the 32-year-old’s goals. There’s nothing to suggest Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota are the right men for such a responsibility.

Two names being linked with a move to the club are Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez and the man who scored Newcastle’s second against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, Alexander Isak. While both would certainly strengthen the attack, this is how each of them compare to one another as GIVEMESPORT attempts to answer which one Slot should prioritise in the transfer window.

Finishing

Isak has been the more prolific of the pair in their respective leagues

The main job for the two will be what they can produce in front of goal, and in that aspect, it is the Swede who leads the way. Isak has earned ‘world-class’ status because of his performances for Newcastle, and his potency has seen him notch 19 goals in the Premier League alone compared to his counterpart’s 11.

Furthermore, Isak has a much better conversion rate and shot-on-target percentage than his opponent, which, given that he has taken more efforts in total, is mightily impressive considering the bigger sample size. That is not to say Alvarez’s return is appalling; it is still better than Nunez’s stats, for example. However, in this area, there is a clear differential between the two stars in favour of the Magpie.

Playmaking

Isak is known for hs goals but also has more assists

Should Salah stick around at Anfield, there is every chance that if one of Isak or Alvarez came in, they would need to spend as much time trying to provide goals for the Egyptian as they would trying to find the net themselves. And while many would think that the former Manchester City forward would have the edge here, as he often had to supplement Erling Haaland at the Etihad, that is not the case.

In fact, in their domestic leagues, it is Isak who has more assists and has created more chances for his teammates. Perhaps this is a result of Diego Simeone’s more defensive approach in the Spanish capital, but it is another point in favour of the Swedish international.

Possession

Alvarez tops the charts when it comes to his play in possession

They say that possession is nine-tenths of the law, and that is more the case for Alvarez than it is Isak this season, as the Argentine is the clear winner when it comes to keeping hold of the ball and what he does in possession. The 25-year-old has played more passes and yet has still had better accuracy, completing more in the opposition half. This may be down to the fact he spends more time dropping off to get on the ball, but that is just him playing to his strengths.

Alvarez has also lost possession on fewer occasions and has a better take-on percentage too, making him a scarier prospect for defenders in one-on-one scenarios.

Conclusion

Isak the stronger option for Slot

Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak celebrates

If Slot had to pick just one man based on these statistics, the easy choice would be Isak. Especially in an instance where Salah also leaves the club, the former Real Sociedad man would be primed and ready to take the goalscoring mantle, having proven to be a bigger threat inside the penalty area while still providing more chances to his teammates.

There is a scenario where if Salah stays, the pair may get in each other’s way and try to operate in too similar areas. In that case, maybe the more fluid Alvarez would be the right choice. But in terms of a dangerman who is going to add to Liverpool rather than supplement what they already have, Isak is their guy.