
Arne Slot speaks exclusively to Sky Sports’ Vinny O’Connor ahead of Monday’s clash with Newcastle and weighs in on Alexander Isak speculation
When asked who Liverpool’s main title challengers are this season, Arne Slot isn’t ready to name names just yet.
Instead, the Liverpool boss references the “usual suspects,” who he expects to be in contention throughout the campaign. Early-season form is offering some clues, with Arsenal starting strong with two wins, Chelsea catching the eye with their Friday night performance, and Tottenham potentially emerging as a dark horse under new manager Thomas Frank after consecutive victories.
Liverpool themselves made a statement with a 4-2 win over Bournemouth on the opening weekend—though the match wasn’t without its complications.
Slot acknowledges the Reds are still a work in progress, especially after a £300m summer overhaul. Speaking to Sky Sports, he praised the team’s resilience in bouncing back from a “difficult position” against the Cherries, with late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mo Salah sealing the result. New arrival Hugo Ekitike also impressed on his debut.
Liverpool would have entered the title race conversation even without their significant spending spree. But as the biggest spenders in this summer’s Premier League transfer window, expectations are now even higher as Slot looks to build on a successful first season.
“Very happy with the squad”
So, does Slot think the current squad is enough to compete—or is there still room for additions?
“No, I’m very happy with the squad we’re having now,” he insists. “Very happy, as you could see, Friday night as well, that we could impact the game from the bench, as we did so many times last season.
“So, yeah, happy, but as always, if it’s 10 days to go, I don’t know how long the market is open, we will always look.”
On Isak: “Let’s talk about Hugo”
Naturally, the conversation shifts to Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who has publicly stated he wants to leave the club—prompting speculation that Liverpool could make a move.
Could Liverpool be tempted to act before the transfer window shuts on September 1?

Slot diverts attention, preferring to focus on one of his new signings.
“I think the way Hugo Ekitike started his career at Liverpool, we should talk about him and say how well he did,” Slot replies, downplaying the Isak links.
“It would be unfair to him to talk about other targets if they are actually there. And if they are there, we don’t speak about them in public. But I think the main thing should be that we talk about how well Hugo has done until now.”
Isak remains a major talking point in the buildup to Monday night’s Liverpool-Newcastle showdown—live on Sky Sports. However, the Swedish international will not feature, leaving a significant void in Eddie Howe’s squad. Howe called the situation a “lose-lose” in his own recent interview.
“He’s a big, big, big threat”
Is Slot relieved that his side, still facing scrutiny over their defensive performances, won’t have to deal with Isak at St James’ Park?
“He scored against us in the League Cup final, and he scored against us in the away game [last season],” Slot points out.
“So yeah, if they have him, he’s a big, big, big threat, but like any other team in the Premier League, if one is injured or not there, it’s not like the manager has to look at his bench and say, ‘now I have no one to play anymore’.”
Slot acknowledges Newcastle’s attacking options beyond Isak:
“For them to play [Anthony] Gordon, [Anthony] Elanga and [Harvey] Barnes and still having [Jacob] Murphy on the bench like last time, maybe it changes this game, it tells you how much quality they still have available.”
“We need to be much better”
Slot is under increased pressure in his second year at Anfield, particularly with fans eager for the club’s first league title since 2019/20 and with several new signings to integrate.
Does the Isak saga add extra intrigue to the match?
“The atmosphere was amazing last year [at St James’ Park], and the intensity levels of their players were amazing, and there were no talks then. They fully deserved to win the League Cup final from us,” Slot admits.
“So yeah, if they can even add intensity to those two games, that would be really special. Even if we would have been at our best, I would be far from sure we could have beaten that Newcastle team on that day, because they were outstanding.”
Slot reflects on last season’s challenges and what must improve:
“What I do know is that we need to be much better than we were. In the end of the season, it was harder and harder for us to win our game. I think we had to rely a few times on our set-pieces back then as well.”
History on Liverpool’s side
Newcastle have failed to beat Liverpool in their last 17 Premier League meetings, a run that stretches back to December 2015 under Steve McClaren. Eddie Howe will be desperate to rewrite that narrative—but without his top striker, the task becomes all the more difficult.