Alexander Isak has played down the imminent battle with Virgil van Dijk ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with  Newcastle on Sunday.

Isak and Van Dijk will face off in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, with the event an opportunity for Liverpool fans to watch a potential summer signing.

Isak has been linked with a switch to Liverpool this summer after what has been a very impressive season for Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s side will be relying on the 25-year-old to end their trophy drought. The Swedish striker has been in the form of his life this season, scoring 19 times and registering five assists in 25 league games.

Virgil van Dijk sounds new alarm on his Liverpool future as he announces he has 'no idea' where he will play next year and says anyone who claims a new deal is close is LYING	Virgil van Dijk “genuinely” doesn’t know Liverpool future – anyone else is “lying”	Alexander Isak comments on Newcastle injury fear ahead of Carabao Cup final

Liverpool coach Arne Slot named him as a serious threat during his pre-match press conference, highlighting key aspects of his game that makes him a dangerous player for the Magpies.

“Now, looking at Newcastle, we played them twice,” Slot said.

“In the last game, [Alexander] Isak wasn’t involved.

In the first game, he was involved.

He is such an important player for them, he’s an unbelievable threat and has the speed that, for example, the attackers of Paris Saint-Germain had on Tuesday as well and they were more than I would have liked in front of Ali [Alisson Becker] during the two games we have played them.

“So, we need to do even better than we did [on Tuesday] if you look at the way we have to defend the counter-attacks.

But for large parts of the [PSG] game, over 90 minutes, I couldn’t have asked for more.”

And now, Isak, who scored in his last game against Liverpool, has spoken about his battle with Liverpool captain Van Dijk, declaring that he doesn’t fear the Dutchman.

“I wouldn’t say I fear anyone, that’s a strong word,” Isak said about the Liverpool defender.

“I have a lot of respect for the players that I come up against and a lot of respect for Van Dijk and their whole defence.”

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