In a revealing statement, Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has opened up about how close the club came to passing on the high-profile transfer of Alexander Isak, a move that could leave current striker Hugo Ekitike questioning his role.

This summer, Liverpool splurged an astonishing £440 million to bolster their squad in a bid to help manager Arne Slot lead the charge for the title. Despite selling several key players, this transfer window will be etched in Liverpool's history thanks to record-breaking deals.

The climax of these dramatic transfers came late in the window, when Newcastle United finally agreed to let their Swedish star, Isak, join Liverpool for a remarkable £125 million, following an earlier rejected offer of £110 million plus £10 million in add-ons.

Interestingly, Werner disclosed that Liverpool had signed Ekitike for £79 million from Eintracht Frankfurt, stating that they would have been content if that was the only striker they secured.

During a discussion on The Overlap USA, Werner noted the challenges with Newcastle's demands: "They needed to find a replacement for Isak. We thought our offer was competitive, but with three years left on his contract, it was tough. We were optimistic about Ekitike and believed if it worked out, fantastic – if not, we could explore other options in the future."

Despite Liverpool's excitement around Isak, Werner emphasized that he’s not the only talent out there, hinting that the club always had plans for multiple forwards.

Ekitike, who has been in sensational form, netting three goals and providing an assist in just six games, faces increased competition with Isak's arrival. There’s speculation that had Ekitike known Isak was also in the cards, he might have thought twice about his move to Liverpool.

As Newcastle reinvested their Isak funds into new signings, Ekitike understands the stakes have risen at Anfield. He must continue delivering top performances to secure his place in the starting lineup.

Manager Slot has assured both strikers that they will share playing time, stating, "We have two great number nines, and we’ll utilize both throughout their time here.” However, managing the dynamics between two in-form strikers will be a challenge as Liverpool sets their sights on an exceptional season.

In other news, Liverpool is navigating genuine interest from Real Madrid in midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, with a potential 2026 transfer still up in the air. Meanwhile, Slot has grand plans for the Reds, aiming to turn the team into a force in Europe with more signings on the horizon.

As Liverpool fans eagerly anticipate how Slot will juggle his star strikers, the question remains: can both Ekitike and Isak thrive together?