Tokyo Test, Scandinavian Solution: What Marinos Taught Us About Isak

As the final whistle blew in Liverpool’s 3–1 preseason win over Yokohama F. Marinos, one thing became clear: Arne Slot’s team is evolving, but it’s still incomplete.

There were flashes of the high-pressing, fluid system Slot has brought to Merseyside. Florian Wirtz marked his debut with a sharp finish. Hugo Ekitike showed glimpses of what he might offer to the attack. But while the result looked comfortable, the performance told a more complex story—one centered on structure, experimentation, and, most of all, a missing focal point in attack.

With Luis Díaz finalizing a move to Bayern Munich and Darwin Núñez showing is usual inconsistencies, Liverpool’s forward line is at a crossroads. The signing of Ekitike added depth, and Wirtz brought dynamism through the middle, but there remains an unmistakable gap where a ruthless No. 9 should be.

Which brings us to Alexander Isak—a player who could be the perfect centerpiece for Slot’s Liverpool rebuild.

A Shifting Tactical Identity

Arne Slot’s tactical approach differs in nuance from his predecessor, Jürgen Klopp. While Klopp's system thrived on heavy-metal intensity, Slot leans more toward controlled chaos—organized pressing, positional rotations, and purposeful movement through the thirds.

Slot typically sets up in a 4–3–3 that morphs into a 3–2–5 when in possession. The fullbacks invert or overlap depending on the phase of play. Midfielders interlace short combinations. The wingers tuck in or burst behind the line depending on the spacing available. Creativity is built on structure, not spontaneity.

But as promising as this framework looks, it demands one key ingredient: a striker who can lead the line, occupy defenders, and act as both a finisher and facilitator.

That role is currently unclaimed.

Liverpool vs. Yokohama F. Marinos: A Preseason Glimpse

The July 30 match against Yokohama F. Marinos was Arne Slot’s second preseason outing, and while it ended in a 3–1 win, it provided a more honest glimpse into the squad’s current strengths—and lingering vulnerabilities.

Liverpool dominated possession, moved the ball well in phases, and showed promising link-up in midfield. Florian Wirtz, making his unofficial debut, was the standout performer. Positioned as a hybrid No. 8/10, he pulled strings in tight areas, initiated several attacking sequences, and capped his performance with a calm equalizing goal in the 62nd minute.

Hugo Ekitike, started at striker. His directness and quick feet made him a persistent threat in the first half, but he largely drifted wide and struggled to consistently influence central play.

At halftime, Slot made a significant change—Darwin Núñez came on for Ekitike and slotted into the striker’s role. He had a golden opportunity early in the second half: a perfectly measured ball from Mohamed Salah found him unmarked six yards out. But Núñez, under no pressure, skewed the chance wide, leaving the door open for a Marinos opener just minutes later.

That moment encapsulated the current challenge. Even with structure and quality around him, Liverpool still lacked a clinical, composed finisher—the kind of player who turns those half-chances into goals. Núñez’s movement was positive, but his miss reinforced doubts about his reliability as the focal point.

Fortunately for Liverpool, the midfield took control. After Wirtz’s goal, Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha—both teenagers—scored in quick succession, sealing a comeback and a confidence-boosting result.

Tactically, the fullbacks again highlighted Slot’s preferred patterns. Jeremie Frimpong pushed high, occasionally cutting inside, while Milos Kerkez stretched the pitch on the left. Salah floated between wide and central zones, and Cody Gakpo offered versatility across the front line.

Still, for all the fluidity, there was a clear void: Liverpool created chances but didn’t dominate the final third through a striker. It was a win, yes—but one that sharpened the case for a true No. 9. A striker with poise. A striker like Alexander Isak.

Enter Isak: The Elegant Finisher

Alexander Isak, 25, is not your traditional target man—but that’s precisely what makes him ideal for this system.

Standing at 6’4”, Isak brings an almost deceptive elegance to the role. His first touch is velvety. His movement is calculated. He can finish from tight angles or thread passes in buildup play. Last season, he scored 27 goals in all competitions for Newcastle United—not by brute force, but through clever positioning, composed finishing, and intelligent interplay.

Where Núñez often operates on adrenaline, Isak plays like a surgeon. He offers the calm, connective tissue Liverpool lacked in the Marinos match. He knows when to drift, when to stay central, and when to attack space. He doesn't just score—he fits.

Slot’s system doesn’t need a wrecking ball. It needs a thinking striker. One who can press high but not over-commit, drop deep to link up with Wirtz and Szoboszlai, and still finish clinically when the chance comes.

Isak does all of that—and more.

The Numbers Game: Isak vs. Núñez

A statistical comparison tells a clearer story. Isak’s shot conversion rate last season ranked among the Premier League’s best. His expected goals per shot outperformed Núñez. His pressing success rate was also higher, despite playing in a more possession-heavy system.

And perhaps most importantly: Isak requires fewer touches to influence a game. He doesn’t need to be in the spotlight for 90 minutes—just in the right place at the right time.

While Núñez still has value as a chaos agent off the bench or in direct-play matches, he has struggled to lead the line consistently in games where Liverpool dominate the ball. Isak, on the other hand, is made for those exact scenarios.

Formation Options: Building Around the Swede

If Liverpool do land Isak, Slot gains flexibility:

🔴 Option 1: Classic 4–3–3

• Isak as the center-forward, with Ekitike cutting in from the left and Salah maintaining width or drifting inside.
• Wirtz plays just behind them, pulling strings in tight zones.
• Fullbacks like Frimpong invert to help form triangles in buildup.

🔴 Option 2: Hybrid 3–5–2

• Isak and Ekitike up front, operating as a double act with varied movement.
• Wirtz slots in behind them as a roaming No. 10.
• Wingbacks (Frimpong, Kerkez) provide width while a midfield two anchors possession.
• Salah rotates more selectively, perhaps playing deeper or as a late-game weapon.

Slot could alternate between systems depending on the opponent, with Isak adapting smoothly to both.

Beyond the Tactics: A Legacy Move

Make no mistake—this is not just a tactical fit. A move for Isak would be a statement of ambition.

Liverpool have lost Luis Díaz. Mohamed Salah turned 33 this summer. Núñez remains inconsistent. There is a new midfield core, a new manager, a new culture—and now, they need a new spearhead.

At a rumored price of £150 million, Isak would become the most expensive player in Liverpool’s history. But this isn’t about inflating numbers—it’s about defining an era. Much like Van Dijk once stabilized the defense and Alisson secured the net, Isak could be the keystone for Slot’s forward line.

More than a signing, he would represent a vision made tangible.

The Right Player at the Right Time

The win against Yokohama showed signs of a system ready to hum—but waiting for its lead vocalist.

Isak is not a luxury buy. He is the type of player who would make everyone around him better. He would elevate Wirtz. Complement Ekitike. Relieve Salah. And give Slot the most valuable thing any manager can ask for: a striker who finishes the move and starts the press.

If Liverpool are serious about building something new—not just surviving post-Klopp but thriving—then Alexander Isak might just be the piece that makes everything click.