Van Dijk Demands New Striker After Wembley Heartbreak as Liverpool’s £110m Isak Bid Rejected
LONDON — Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has called for urgent attacking reinforcements in the wake of the Reds’ 3-2 penalty shootout defeat to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.
Goals from Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong weren’t enough to secure silverware, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr twice pulling Palace level before Justin Devenny’s decisive spot-kick sealed back-to-back Wembley defeats for Liverpool.
Speaking to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Van Dijk didn’t hide his frustration:
“I hate losing… and my last two games at Wembley haven’t been good. After Darwin and Lucho left, we need a new striker for sure this summer.”
Liverpool’s top target is Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak, but the club’s £110m plus add-ons offer has been rebuffed. Isak, who has been kept apart from Newcastle’s first-team training group, remains central to Eddie Howe’s plans.
Howe told reporters after a 2-0 friendly loss to Atletico Madrid:
“Everything is in play… I want the strongest squad possible, but also players who really want to play for this football club.”
Despite Liverpool’s interest, Newcastle insist Isak will not be sold before the window closes.
