Former Liverpool and England star Emile Heskey has condemned £125million man Alexander Isak for his conduct in forcing a move through to Liverpool from Newcastle, while hailing Marc Guehi for his attitude as a “true professional”.
It was the transfer saga that compelled the nation throughout the summer; would Isak get his desired move to Merseyside? Or, alternatively, to what extent would he go to make sure he would?
The Swedish star refused to train with the team, made himself unavailable for selection and even released a bombshell statement demanding he be allowed to leave the club.
His efforts were not in vain, with Liverpool ultimately snapping the striker up, who scored 23 Premier League goals last year, for a British record fee.
Alexander Isak joined Liverpool in a £125million deal on deadline day
| GETTYHe wasn’t the only striker to resort to extreme measures to ensure his transfer, with Yoane Wissa managing to force his way out of Brentford to replace the departing Isak at St James’ Park.
It was Marc Guehi, however, while continuing to play and captain Crystal Palace despite speculation linking him with a move to Anfield, who failed to get his move away.
The 25-year-old defender is said to have agreed 11th hour on deadline day, leaving the former Chelsea man with no choice but to return to Selhurst Park.
Marc Guehi's proposed move to Liverpool fell through after Crystal Palace pulled out of the deal
| REUTERSAnd Heskey, speaking to Tribal Football the trusted guide to UK casinos, has condemned the actions of Isak and Wissa, while hailing Guehi as a “true professional”.
“You don’t often see this from English players,” the former Liverpool forward said. “Over the years, it has only been foreign players who have gone on strike, where the English players just get on with their football and let it all play out and get on with their job.
“There have been more foreign players to go on strike, not train, to get what they want. I don’t like it all really.
"You look at Guehi, a true professional, and us English lads just get on with playing and doing our job as footballers.”
Emile Heskey believes that 'English players just get on with their football'
|GETTY
Isak’s move to Arne Slot’s side has raised questions over where the prolific goalscorer actually fits in.
With new £79m signing Hugo Ekitike impressing up front and scoring three goals in his opening four games, Cody Gakpo starting the season emphatically on the left-hand side and Mohamed Salah on the right, the question of who is replaced by Isak remains.
Heskey believes that Ekitike and Isak can play together, but a change of system could suit the pair better: “Yes [Ekitike and Isak can play together]. The old 4-4-2 style of formation can be used to incorporate them both. Back in my day, this 4-4-2 formation was so successful for many teams and no reason why Liverpool can’t look to use this.
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“However, back to reality, the balance of the team is unlikely to work and Arne Slot will likely have Ekitike on the left, Isak through the middle and Salah on the right as his first choice striking line-up. With so many games, there will be changes to the team.
"There could be a way that if the midfield can be compact, he can look to get them both playing as a pair of out-and-out strikers.
“But overall, Isak is a tremendous signing for Liverpool. He is the one who can continue Liverpool’s hold at the top and with the promising start from Ekitike with goals and huge positivity in his play, it all bodes well for the team.
“I’ve been really impressed with [Ekitike] so far. He looked sharp from the opening game and confidence-wise, there is nothing better than getting on the score sheet and playing a big role in a home win.
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Hugo Ekitike has enjoyed a great start to life in a Liverpool shirt
| REUTERS“With signing so early in the window, he would have got a good feel for the club, had a good pre-season, and you can feel this by the way he has started playing on the pitch.
"Liverpool are three wins from three so there is huge positivity that they can go on and have a very good season.
"And for Ekitike, he can be very happy with his opening performances and go on to be a star for the club.”
While the Frenchman has begun his career on Merseyside with a bang, £116m signing Florian Wirtz has had a slower start to life at Anfield.
He did give Liverpool fans a glimpse of his abilities over the international break, though. The 22-year-old took a leaf out of the Dominik Szoboszlai handbook by scoring a wonderful free-kick for Germany.
☄️ Wirtz's free-kick
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Heskey remained confident that Wirtz, who played an instrumental role in Bayer Leverkusen’s historic invincible Bundesliga season in 2024, will be a success.
“I think he has settled in quite well,” the former Aston Villa striker explained. “It’s always difficult coming from a different league and a different style of play.
"Especially against Arsenal, I believe Slot looked to set Liverpool up differently to the other two games.
"Liverpool had conceded a couple of goals in each game, so against a title rival, the role for Wirtz was going to be different.
“I wouldn’t be concerned, it’s a long season, three wins out of three now, a win against a key rival, plus Isak joining now, there is no concern whatsoever.
"The more he plays, the more comfortable he will be in the team and with a very long season ahead it’s a team game.
“Slot will remind him to be brave, and I am sure he will be even more effective as the weeks go on.
"Slot has shown he can get the best out of players, so I’m very sure we will see Wirtz perform like he has done in Germany very soon.”