Jermaine Pennant Reviews Liverpool’s Summer Transfer Activity

It’s been quite the summer for Liverpool Football Club - a dynamic start to the transfer window saw the arrivals of Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, and Hugo Ekitike. And it seems the club isn’t done yet. Alexander Isak remains a key target for Arne Slot as the Reds look to retain their Premier League title, with Manchester City and Arsenal both lurking.

We caught up with former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant to discuss the club’s summer so far and hear his thoughts on their title hopes.

Liverpool Signing Isak The Icing On The Cake

Liverpool are hoping to round off their summer transfer business with the signing of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who scored 23 goals last season to help guide the Magpies back into the Champions League. The Reds have already submitted an offer in the region of £110 million, which falls short of Newcastle’s valuation. Isak then missed the club’s pre-season tour with a supposed minor thigh injury and has since trained alone at his former club Real Sociedad.

As things stand, all parties are locked in a stalemate - but Isak is believed to want a move, and Liverpool are expected to return with an improved bid. Pennant believes Newcastle are posturing with their £150 million demands and that a deal will eventually be struck.

“Isak would be an amazing signing and the icing on the cake to the window. Newcastle are just saying £150m to price out teams from going in for him. We all know valuations are just there sometimes. I think £130m will get the deal done, maybe with add-ons and Newcastle will cash in.”

“If Liverpool get Isak, that’s 20+ goals on top of what they’ve already got and it’s a scary thought which puts them in the driving seat.”

Isak and Ekitike Can Coexist In The Same Team

A key question is whether the arrival of Isak could spell trouble for fellow summer signing Hugo Ekitike, who joined for a reported £79 million. Could having both forwards, each commanding a significant fee, create selection headaches or dressing room tension?

“I can see Isak and Ekitike fitting the same team because Ekitike can sometimes drift to the left or right, which he likes to do as we’ve seen with the assist he gave to Salah in pre-season. He’s adaptable, and he’s not a typical number nine. He’s a utility nine who can play left, right, he can drop deep, so they can play together.”

Pennant Excited By The Signing Of Florian Wirtz

German international Florian Wirtz arrives with high expectations. The £100 million price tag and the iconic number 7 shirt suggest he will be central to Liverpool’s creative play this season. But will he hit the ground running, or take time to adjust to the Premier League?

“I’m very excited with the signing of Wirtz. I love Dominik Szoboszlai and over late he’s shown he’s a great talent but there’s a lack of goals and creativity in his game. His engine is great and he gets up and down the pitch, but sometimes Liverpool rely too much on the wide players.”

“Wirtz helps to take the pressure off those guys, and he’s more creative whilst also being capable of scoring goals. His IQ is off the chart with little touches around the box. He looks like an exciting young talent.”

Time For Nunez To Move On

Meanwhile, Al-Hilal have reached an agreement with Liverpool to sign Darwin Nunez. The deal is worth £46 million plus add-ons, and the striker is reportedly open to a move to Saudi Arabia following three underwhelming seasons on Merseyside. Pennant, who has supported Nunez in the past, believes it’s the right moment for a fresh start.

“Regardless of what happens with Isak, I think Nunez’s future is away from Liverpool. This will be his fourth season and everyone loves him at the club but there’s only so long you can give a player for the money paid. Some of the misses have been costly and he’s not worked or offered the calibre of performances Liverpool need up front.”

“Liverpool need an Isak-esque level player and we thought we had that with Nunez but he didn’t reach those heights. If he stays, we have someone that adds to the strength in depth and can cause havoc. It’s best if he goes but if not we’ll happily keep him.”

Guehi Is A Better Option Than Konate

The future of Ibrahima Konaté is also uncertain as he enters the final year of his contract. Should Liverpool look to sell now and secure a replacement, with Real Madrid reportedly circling?

“Konate has probably already taken Spanish lessons knowing Real Madrid (laughs). They’re horrible, they are. If Liverpool lose Konate now, it puts them on the back foot and makes them wea,k so I wouldn’t mind losing him for free.”

“Liverpool didn’t pay over the odds or a huge fee for him and he’s been a great servant for the club so if he stayed another season whilst we search out a top replacement I’ll be happy with that.”

One of the players that has been linked with a move to Anfield is Crystal Palace centre back Marc Guehi, who is entering his final season contractually with his club. Newcastle have also previously shown interest in the defender, but Pennant feels as though Liverpool should make their move for Guehi next summer on a free and that they’ll be getting a better defender than Konate.

“Next year if he goes we thank him for his services and we will get Marc Guehi where he comes for free or we will agree a deal in January for him. Liverpool are in a good place. Guehi might be a little better than Konate because of his ability on the ball. He’s a better ball player.”

Are Liverpool Title Favourites?

But after a heavy and busy summer of recruiting the likes of Ekitike, Wirtz, Kerkez and Frimpong this summer, will Liverpool go into the season as favourites?

Liverpool are currently valued at 7-4 to win the league and by using our bet calculator, you can see they're clearly the frontrunners right now. As it turns out, Pennant agrees pretty strongly.

“Liverpool have to be favourites with the signings they’ve made. They’ve gotten stronger and if they get a Isak over the line then they’re 100% favourites.”

Read more as we take a look at Jermaine Pennant's original expectations for Liverpool's summer transfer window