Manager Arne Slot included all four of Liverpool‘s available outfield signings in his starting XI after what has been a busy summer thus far on Merseyside.
But their business is not done there, with the club having announced the signing of 18-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma on Friday.
Liverpool are also in talks to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.
Giovanni Leoni has signed a six-year contract with Liverpool (Image: Liverpool Football Club)
Slot, meanwhile, hinted to Sky Sports in his pre-match interview on Thursday that the Reds are still in the market for a new centre-forward to complement the arrival of Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool saw a £110 million bid for Isak rejected by Newcastle last month.
The player is now ‘on strike’ from St James’ Park, according to the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, and will play no part in the Magpies’ opening league fixture against Aston Villa on Thursday.
The biggest development since Liverpool’s bid occurred on Thursday night, with Brentford striking a £37 million deal with Bournemouth to sign winger Dango Ouattara.
That transfer is significant as it could decide the future of Newcastle-linked Yoane Wissa – potentially opening the door for an Isak departure for what would comfortably be a British-record transfer fee.
Newcastle identify new transfer target
Hope claimed on Thursday that while Newcastle were considering the option of signing only one striker this summer and still signing Isak, the preferred option would be to bring two new forwards to St James’ Park.
The same reporter now states that the Magpies have identified Goncalo Ramos as a new centre forward option.
