Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 4.
Player analysis: Alexander Isak (Liverpool)
After breaking the British transfer record with a reported £125million move from Newcastle United on deadline day, Isak is set to make his long-awaited Liverpool debut this Sunday.
The champions, who have won three from three so far, face Burnley at Turf Moor, and the Swede – who played for his country in midweek - is almost certain to feature in Arne Slot’s plans.
Is Isak ready to start?
With only 25 minutes of competitive action under his belt this season, it would be a bold call for Arne Slot to start Isak against Burnley.
That said, despite Sweden’s 2-0 loss to Kosovo on Monday, Liverpool’s head coach will have been impressed with Isak’s substitute performance.
He looked sharp and attempted four shots, including three on target.
Seven of Isak's 17 touches were inside the opposition box in a cameo that also saw him run in behind the last defender for a 1v1 with the keeper that was well saved.
There were few signs of rustiness from Isak considering how little football he has played.
What are Slot’s options?
After spending most of the summer training on his own, the Reds will want Isak to get up to speed as quickly as possible in terms of match fitness.
If they opt to start him right away, Hugo Ekitike would probably be dropped to the bench in Slot’s favoured 4-2-3-1.
Playing him on the left is another option, but that call would see Cody Gakpo, a specialist in that position, omitted from the starting XI.
An interesting alternative, especially if Burnley switch to the 5-4-1 formation they used at Tottenham Hotspur, could see Isak partner Ekitike in a 4-4-2 up against three central defenders.
In that set-up Florian Wirtz would possibly miss out, but this is more likely to be viewed as a plan B tactic, should Liverpool be chasing a goal in the second half.
There are plenty of unknowns ahead of this match against Scott Parker’s side, but Isak will surely get plenty of minutes, even if he does start on the bench.
Slot gave a strong indication in his pre-match press conference that he will be introduced gradually.
“Don't expect him to be every single game 90 minutes on the pitch. That's definitely not going to happen in the upcoming weeks,” said Slot.
“He missed a proper pre-season - I think he missed 3-4 months of team sessions, and so now we have to build him up gradually. So, that's going to be a challenge, but we signed him not only for the upcoming weeks, we signed him for six years.”
How does he fit in with Ekitike?
Ekitike has been excellent so far, scoring terrific goals against AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle, but English football’s most expensive signing will be regarded as Liverpool’s first choice centre-forward.
Can they play together in the same XI?
Potentially, but it is more likely they will rotate with one another.
Having two quality high-profile strikers certainly leaves Slot with some difficult decisions to make, and Ekitike himself discussed this during the international break.
He said, "When you play for the best teams, you inevitably expect to be competing with the best players. Isak is a player I used to watch, so seeing him arrive is a pleasure. It's going to be tough competition, but I'm going to work hard to be good and perform well so that it's just the coach's problem."
The most likely alternative to striker rotation could see him used as a left-sided forward in place of Gakpo.
Ekitike has played there before, but infrequently, starting just three times in that role for Stade Reims in 2021/22.
Therefore, it would be a steep learning curve for the Frenchman to feature there on a regular basis at Anfield.
When you compare Isak’s heat map from 2024/25 with Ekitike’s this season you can see subtle differences in the positions they take up.
One of Isak’s great qualities is his mobility and comfort popping up in areas right across the forward line.
Drifting right and left just as much as he stays down the middle, he is an elusive player to mark.
Isak's heat map 24/25
Ekitike is not quite as varied in his movements.
He is happier to come short and link play in deeper areas, and as shown below, the 23-year-old is far more likely to drift left in between right-sided central defenders and the right-back.
Interestingly, Ekitike has rarely moved right.
Ekitike's heat map 25/26
This could be seen as a positive, in terms of freeing up more space for Mohamed Salah, but it does maybe unbalance the side a little too.
Different run-making
During his short Liverpool career to date Ekitike’s movement has been very central when his side has had the ball.
Barring a couple of sprints into the left-wing channel he has stayed between the width of the 18-yard box.
Ekitike's in-possession runs 25/26
Isak also makes most of his runs directly towards goal, but at Newcastle last season, there was clearly more breadth to his movement.
Isak's in-possession runs 24/25
He pulls wider on both flanks, which in theory could free up space on the inside for Salah and Gakpo to become auxiliary strikers.
Wirtz, who has made a stream of forward runs in each match so far, will also fill those gaps when Isak pulls wide.
Can Isak and Salah gel?
By his own super-high standards Salah has been a little quiet so far this season, registering just four shots.
He still has one goal and one assist, but the 33-year-old has not been at his best.
Many are wondering if Salah’s influence will diminish or grow with Isak in the same side, and it will be intriguing to see how they combine.
As mentioned, Isak’s runs down the right could free up Salah to spin inside, into the central portion of the penalty area more often.
But Isak will also be acutely aware not to crowd Salah’s space too much.
When you study where each forward has taken their shots from since the start of 2024/25 there is not a major crossover.
Salah's shot choice since the start of 24/25
Isak will not enter Salah’s well-known domain on the right side of the box too often.
Isak's shot choice since the start of 24/25
How do Isak and Ekitike’s numbers compare?
Three matches into the new campaign offers only a small sample size, but there are notable differences between Liverpool’s two new front men.
Boasting strong all-round qualities, Isak is more effective looking after possession and linking play inside the opposition half.
He finds a little more penetration too, enjoying a higher number of involvements inside the opposition penalty area.
Isak's and Ekitike's link play comparison
| Statistic | Isak 24/25 | Ekitike 25/26 |
| Touches | 30.78 | 36.76 |
|---|---|---|
| Touches in opp. box | 3.51 | 6.86 |
| Successful passes in opp. half | 6.62 | 11.57 |
| Passing accuracy % | 54.76 | 77.05 |
Ekitike’s productivity cannot be faulted across the opening three matches.
Scoring twice and assisting another, his output is currently higher than Isak’s was last season when scoring 23 goals and making six assists.
How Isak and Ekitke compare per 90
| Statistic | Isak 24/25 | Ekitike 25/26 |
| Goals and assists | 0.94 | 1.17 |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 3.22 | 1.95 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.66 | 0.52 |
| Chances created | 1.37 | 1.56 |
| Dribbles completed | 1.37 | 0.78 |
Isak’s record suggests he will get more chances and score more goals, but Ekitike is arguably more creative.
The truth is, both forwards will offer Slot so much quality in the months to come.
Finding a way to keep everyone happy could be challenging, and it may take time for the chemistry with others to develop, but having two such high calibre strikers is exciting for Liverpool.
Slot will hope that competition for starts will drive up standards for both Liverpool’s huge summer signings - and that could be bad news for the rest of the division.