Liverpool remind Newcastle why Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike transfer plan was doomed to fail

Liverpool remind Newcastle why Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike transfer plan was doomed to fail

Newcastle had wanted to partner Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in attack, but have ended their interest in the Frenchman who now looks set to join Liverpool

Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak (Image: Getty Images )

Liverpool supporters were given a nostalgic reminder of what once could have been earlier this week, as two of their best Premier League stars were pictured together. Former Reds striker Fernando Torres was given the warmest of welcomes by fellow footballing royalty during a recent visit to Miami.

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The World Cup winner dropped by Inter Miami’s training base during his time in South Florida and was pictured embracing and catching up with friends and former foes.

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“Welcome to Miami, El Nino”, Inter Miami owner David Beckham posted on Instagram, alongside pictures of Torres speaking with his former Reds team-mate and Herons head coach, Javier Mascherano, as well as the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend himself, his old Spain team-mate Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi.

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But that was not the only familiar face for Torres in Miami as he was also pictured with fellow former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

“With a star, a legend”, the Uruguayan wrote on social media when sharing the snap of the pair.

Reds supporters were instantly hit by nostalgia, before a reminder of what they almost had quickly followed suit.

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Technically, Suarez and Torres were, very briefly at least, Liverpool team-mates. The Uruguayan joined the Reds from Ajax on transfer deadline day in January 2011, with the Spaniard then completing his own switch to reigning Premier League champions Chelsea hours later.

But while Suarez was essentially signed as a replacement for Torres, along with Andy Carroll, that was not the initial plan.

The Spaniard put in a transfer request to force through his transfer to Stamford Bridge, with Liverpool having originally intended to partner him in attack with Suarez. Oh, what could have been.

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In truth, it soon emerged that the Reds had enjoyed the better of such dealings. Injuries had ultimately taken their toll on Torres with the striker proving to be on the decline.

In contrast, Suarez would continue a staggering upwards trajectory that saw him go on establish as the best centre-forward in world football - even if next employers, Barcelona, were the main beneficiaries of such a rise.

The sight of Suarez and Torres together offered a timely reminder of Liverpool’s greatest strike partnership that never was. But it also come at a time when the Reds were playing a role in preventing a similar plan from unfolding for one of their rivals.

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Newcastle United have been adamant throughout the summer that they will now sell star striker Alexander Isak, despite interest from the likes of Liverpool.

Meanwhile, they were also hoping to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, and saw a £70m bid rejected by the Bundesliga outfit earlier this week.

The Magpies had been insistent that they wanted to partner the two forwards together, with their interest in Ekitike not opening the door for Isak to move on. But their move for the Frankfurt forward prompted Liverpool into action.

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The Reds made it known they were interested in both Isak and Ekitike, with the Premier League champions willing to make the Swede the Premier League’s most expensive player.

But with Newcastle remaining steadfast in their resolve not to sell the player, Liverpool then turned their immediate attention to Ekitike.

Personal terms have already been agreed with the Frenchman, with the Magpies ultimately withdrawing from the race once the Reds had firmed up their own interest.

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In contrast to Liverpool 14 years ago, Newcastle are, so far at least, successfully managing to retain their star striker.

But in doing so, they have missed out on their latest attacking target in Ekitike, having already been unsuccessful in efforts to sign Joao Pedro prior to his move to Chelsea.

Newcastle might have dreamt of partnering Ekitike with Isak, as the Reds did all those years ago with Suarez and Torres, but Liverpool have ensured that will now never become a reality.

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Realistically, they stood little chance of winning both battles against the Premier League champions.

As the Reds found out themselves when Chelsea came calling for Torres, the best laid plans often go awry.

While Newcastle will at least be satisfied at retaining Isak’s services, admittedly being in a much stronger state than the Liverpool side of 2010/11, it will now be down to Ekitike and the Reds to ensure they are left wistfully wondering what could have been at St. James’ Park in the years to follow.

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