Arne Slot gives thoughts on Alexander Isak after being tipped to sign Newcastle star

Arne Slot has paid tribute to the "dangerous" Alexander Isak - just days after being tipped to try and sign the Newcastle striker.

Liverpool host Isak and the Magpies at Anfield on Wednesday night and will be bidding to stretch their advantage over Arsenal at the Premier League summit even further after the Londoners slipped up against West Ham.

The Reds already look nailed on to land a 20th domestic title in Slot's first season at the helm. But a meeting with Newcastle could yet throw a spanner in the works off the back of their 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

19-goal Isak will be the visitors' main dangerman. And Slot lauded the red-hot Swede when he was singled out during the Liverpool chief's pre-match press conference.

"Understatement to say in fine form, he is in excellent form," the Dutchman said when he was questioned on Isak.

"The team performance will help control him. The more ball possession we have the more we can control him, although he is dangerous on counter-attacks. But we have two very good centre-backs, which is what you need when you face the quality of Isak.

"I like the style of play Eddie Howe has introduced, a team who has a very good gameplan, very intense with or without the ball. Not the only offensive threat they have, [Anthony] Gordon is a big threat."

Isak's form this season has led to plenty of speculation over a potential summer move, although Newcastle are thought to be in a strong position when it comes to the prospect of keeping their star striker at St. James' Park.

Join the debate! Do you think Isak will leave Newcastle in the summer? Let us know here

The player himself has also stressed he is happy where he is, but that hasn't deterred links to Arsenal, who will be in the market for a new striker in the summer. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, though, reckons it's Liverpool - not Arsenal - who would be in pole position to sign Isak if he were to leave Tyneside.

Speaking on the It's Called Soccer! podcast last week, he said: "I don't really get all the talk about going to Arsenal. I know Arsenal would love him, but one thing I would say as well, Arsenal aren't the only team that need a centre-forward. Liverpool need one as well.

"I think in the summer, Liverpool will be in the market for a centre forward. So I think if he was available, there's no doubt Arsenal would go for him, but I think Liverpool would be part of that queue as well.

"The problem you've got with Real Madrid is they've got [Kylian] Mbappe, Barcelona I'm not sure have the money - but they probably would be in the market for a centre forward because you think of the age of [Robert] Lewandowski, but if he's to leave Newcastle, he has to go to a team that has a realistic chance of winning the Champions League because that's how good he is."

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