Should you pick Isak in FPL and how will he impact other Liverpool stars?

The Scout assesses whether managers should buy Alexander Isak (£10.4m) in Fantasy Premier League following his move to Liverpool from Newcastle United and looks at how the forward's arrival will affect the appeal of the Reds' other attackers. 

Should you pick Isak in FPL?

While a Gameweek 4 visit to promoted Burnley immediately lifts the appeal of bringing in Isak, it carries a degree of risk due to the most practical of reasons.

As we are currently in the midst of an international break, Liverpool’s new forward will have very limited time to train with his new team-mates prior to the Turf Moor encounter on Sunday 14 September.

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After winning all three of their opening fixtures, you could argue that Slot will therefore be more inclined to continue with the same front four - Cody Gakpo (£7.7m), Florian Wirtz (£8.4m), Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) and Hugo Ekitike (£8.7m) - in his new 4-2-3-1 formation. 

It's not all doom and gloom for Isak, though, as, judging by Slot's substitutions so far, it seems likely their new striker will earn minutes off the bench.

And there’s no shortage of opportunities for Isak to impress in the upcoming period, with the start of the UEFA Champions League group stages getting under way between Gameweeks 4-5.

Liverpool entertain Atletico Madrid four days after the Burnley match, with a home derby against Everton three days later. 

Indeed, they will play seven matches across all competitions in a 20-day period prior to the next international break.

Liverpool's upcoming fixtures

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While Isak is expected to secure the lone forward role at the expense of Ekitike, it ultimately comes down to just how soon Slot will decide to alter his attack in the Premier League.

On the downside for the Swede, he won't be on penalties like he was at Newcastle, as Salah remains the Reds’ first choice.

A quick comparison of the pair still looks encouraging for Isak’s prospects. 

He scored 23 goals last season, with four of them converted penalties. This means he essentially averaged a non-penalty goal every 144.2 minutes. 

Although Salah scored 29 goals last season, nine of them were spot-kicks, giving him a slower average of 168.5 minutes per non-penalty goal. 

Isak v Salah PL goals 2024/25

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How will Isak impact Liverpool's line-ups?

Slot has remained loyal to the same front four who also started their FA Community Shield match with Crystal Palace, with Gakpo, Wirtz and Salah operating behind lone forward Ekitike. 

But Isak's arrival will now place question marks over Gakpo and Ekitike's security of starts as the campaign unfolds. 

The main reason is down to the versatility of Ekitike. Although he has played up front in all of Liverpool's fixtures, he is equally adept at operating from the left flank, where Gakpo has featured.

Both Salah and Gakpo are the only attackers who have played 90 minutes in all three of the opening Gameweeks. But the latter now seems far less likely to match the Egyptian in that respect due to the arrival of Isak. 

Which side has had the most threat?

A quick glance at the league table would show you that Liverpool's rise to the summit is down to their free-scoring attack, with Slot's side also leading the way on eight goals.

However, when it comes to big chances - or situations where the player is expected to score - it's a somewhat different story. 

Liverpool's total of five places them level with Brentford, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United and is less than HALF Chelsea's 12 at the top. 

Put into perspective, it also places them behind Manchester City's Erling Haaland (£14.1m), who has had SIX big chances alone.

Most big chances, GW1-3

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The table below shows that in terms of shots, shots in the box and big chances, Liverpool's goal threat has been no more than mid-table in the opening three Gameweeks.

By contrast, they ranked first for each of these statistics last season. 

Essentially, the Reds have been bailed out by a hefty 24.2 per cent goal conversion rate, scoring eight goals from only 33 shots.

How Liverpool rank for shots/big chances GW1-3

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Who has offered the most attacking threat?

From a Fantasy perspective, the most alarming statistic in the table below is the lack of big chances for Salah - he's had NONE so far.

Instead, he has created three such opportunities, giving him a total big chance involvement of three.

Ekitike has been the main beneficiary of big chances among the front four. Indeed, he's the only one to have any, with a total of two.

Gakpo, meanwhile, has had six shots and created a further six chances - that gives him a shot involvement of 12, more than his rivals here.

Wirtz is the only one yet to be involved in a big chance, although he has matched the four shots and four chances created of Salah.

Liverpool's attack GW1-3

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Crucially, the lack of a standout candidate in the player numbers also indicates that the attacking threat at Liverpool is being shared around at present, with less reliance on Salah. 

The team data also suggests that Liverpool's attack is very much a work in progress, with their 4-2-3-1 formation yet to click.

Add Isak into the mix ahead of a busy upcoming schedule and it may not be for a couple of months - or at least until after the next international break - before we get a clearer picture of Slot's new-look attack.