Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak already has every reason to head into Sunday’s Carabao Cup final confident of at least getting on the scoresheet. After all, the Swedish hotshot has bagged three goals against the Reds since joining the Magpies.
The United striker will no doubt have been paying close attention to Tuesday night’s Champions League clash between Arne Slot’s side and Paris Saint-Germain, which saw the French champions emerge victorious on penalties after a grueling 120 minutes of action at Anfield.
While Isak has been hailed by many as one of the best strikers in Europe right now, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is widely considered one of the leading exponents of the art of defending in world football. But United’s talisman has shown he can get the better of the classy Dutchman, scoring an exquisite goal in December’s 3-3 draw at St James’ Park, and drawing a foul which led to a red card for the Liverpool defender in the same fixture last season.
And you can be sure he will have taken note of Wayne Rooney’s stinging criticism of Van Dijk’s role in the PSG’s goal at Anfield last night, which squared the tie at 1-1 in the second leg. PSG levelled the tie early in the first half through Ousmane Dembele, and while there was a mix up between goalkeeper Alisson and defender Ibrahima Konate, Manchester United legend Rooney pinpointed Van Dijk’s role as the star failed to react early enough in the move.
Analysing the game oin Amazon Prime, Rooney said: “This goal from Liverpool’s perspective is wrong in so many ways. They are trying to press the ball and Van Dijk gets lazy.
“If you keep your eye on Van Dijk, he’s walking and leaves a massive gap to Dembele. All he has to do is come across and cover Dembele because there is no other pass for Paris to get out and he doesn’t.
“Dembele gets it and he’s got a lot of space, gets the ball out wide and then Konate doesn’t switch on and then he reacts. Dembele makes a good run and gets a tap in.”
Liverpool have a big injury doubt over Trent Alexander-Arnold for Wembley after the England star limped out of the game, although manager Arne Slot is hopeful Konate will be fit to start after he also appeared to pick up a knock.
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