Alexander Isak concerns raised at Liverpool after blockbuster record transfer

Former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has raised concerns over how Alexander Isak will fit in at Anfield given Liverpool's wealth of options in attack. The Swede set a new British transfer record on deadline day after completing a £130million transfer to the Reds.

Isak's arrival means Arne Slot's side are even more favoured to successfully defend their Premier League title. The Merseysiders have won three games from three so far this season and have already opened up a cushion at the summit after beating Arsenal on Sunday. However, Pardew is concerned about what Isak's arrival means for Hugo Ekitike, who completed his own move to Anfield earlier this summer. Liverpool signed the Frenchman from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69m after Newcastle turned down their first approach for Isak.

Ekitike, 23, hasn't taken long to settle in after netting in each of his first two Premier League appearances. But Pardew, who coached the Magpies from 2010 until 2014, is concerned about what Isak's signing will mean for his development.

"I think Hugo Ekitike and his agent will be concerned about Alexander Isak joining. Let's be honest," he said on Sky Sports News. "My opinion, where's he going to play? I don't see [them] playing together, one or the other. I think so. And I think he'll be coming off and on the bench."

Ekitike has been hailed as one of the most promising strikers in Europe for some time and has backed up that promise thus far in Liverpool colours. He found the back of the net in the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace before scoring against both Bournemouth and Newcastle in recent weeks.

The youngster has played out on the left on occasion, both at club level and with France's under-21 team. However, the Reims-born talent is very much a centre forward at heart.

Isak, 25, has himself shown a knack for playing out wide when required, though it's highly unlikely Liverpool plan to play him anywhere except through the middle. That being said, it illustrates how he and Ekitike perhaps could interlink in the same team should Slot wish to field both players at the same time.

In truth, Cody Gakpo, who just signed a new deal at Anfield, could be the biggest loser from Isak's arrival should Ekitike take some of his minutes on the left flank. The Dutchman has been one of Liverpool's most improved players in recent times, but inevitable tweaks will put his place in danger.

Isak, who scored 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle, is too expensive not to play as the primary choice in his preferred position. And Pardew may be right to question where that leaves Ekitike, who may be wondering what lies in store for him after inadvertently signing on to play second fiddle.