Crouch insists that Liverpool's dominance could continue for '2 or 3 YEARS'

Peter Crouch has argued that Liverpool could be set for a period of total dominance in English football if they make a move for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

The Sweden international has been widely tipped to be the transfer of the upcoming summer transfer window after a blistering season in front of goals for the Magpies.

Isak has netted 22 times in his 31 Premier League appearances under Eddie Howe during the 2024-25 campaign and helped Newcastle secure their historic Carabao Cup victory by providing one of the two goals necessary to overcome Liverpool at Wembley.

But the 25-year-old's future at St James' Park has come under scrutiny in recent months after discussions over a potential contract extension broke down in late autumn.

The forward is currently contracted to remain at the club for three more years but amid his prodigious run of form, he has attracted attention from a number of top European clubs including Arsenal and Barcelona.

But former Reds star Crouch was quick to suggest a move close to home in discussion with fellow ex-England international Rio Ferdinand, naming the Premier League champions as his ideal destination for the striker.

'I'm biased obviously but I think if he goes (to Liverpool) there's a period of dominance for the next two to three years with (Virgil) van Dijk and (Mohamed) Salah signing those deals,' Crouch told Ferdinand on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

Both Van Dijk and Salah have just extended their terms at Anfield in a boost to the club's prospects, with both players lynchpins in Arne Slot's title-winning set-up.

'You get Isak too,' Crouch continued, 'I don't think there's a club in that country that can compare to that.'

Ferdinand was loath to agree with Crouch having named his former club Manchester United as a potential competitor for Isak's signature, suggesting that he was not sure if 'Liverpool have got the capacity financially.'

But, Crouch argued, Liverpool had managed to get similar deals over the line when in pursuit of top players.

'That's the Alisson, Van Dijk situation,' Crouch added. 'Look at how successful they were, I think they went above and beyond to get Van Dijk, and Alisson similarly.

The Brazilian goalkeeper was secured by the Reds in 2018 for a then record fee of £66million, with Van Dijk having signed a year earlier for £75m from Premier League rivals Southampton.

For his part, Howe has sought to brush away rumours of Isak's looming departure as the club battles to keep hold of their star player.

‘It (Isak’s future) is linked to a number of other players really - I think we have to try and keep our best players,’ said Howe in February. ‘I think that’s crucial to our short-term success and our long-term success.

'So sitting here as the manager of the football club, I’d be saying we need to keep the group together and we need to add the other way.