I always rather liked the Liverpool fanbase.
There was something close to kinship in the way we held mutual respect for one another. Two passionate fanbases from two cities that have had their fair share of hard times. And recently, you could even throw in that we both draw ire from Manchester United and Everton fans (somewhat bizarrely in our case). After the Carabao Cup, I lauded the dignified and respectable way Liverpool fans handled the disappointment of a cup final defeat, and the way they congratulated our team. Great stuff.
However, recently, there has been an stench of entitlement and insufferableness wafting from those of an Anfield persuasion that was distinctly reserved for another team in red...
...A team in red that was also casting envious looks at Newcastle's star striker.
And a lot of this Scouse delusion is obviously driven by their media's narrative... one that seems to flipflop this way and that like a nervously backpedaling politician.
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Isak v van dijk
Alex Isak: humiliating Virgil Van Dijk since 2022
It's getting a little desperate now...
The Liverpool media is following the saga (or lack of one) of Alexander Isak's transfer status like a couple of children - one awkwardly perched on the other's shoulders - peeping through the windows of the best toy shop in town on new-game release-day. Only, the shutters are still down. They don't know anything. And the slightest gust of wind or noise coming from inside the shop sets off wildfire stories of fancy.
You could forgive Liverpool fans for stirring up excitement if anything of note had actually happened; like, if Isak had rejected a new contract, or had a year left on his deal, or had handed in a transfer request, or even if Liverpool had actually tabled a bid. In reality, none of this has happened, and the only encouragement that news sites like 'Anfield Watch' and 'The Liverpool Echo' have had, is from sensationalist conspiracies spouted by the likes of Talksport and other 'Super League 6'-peddling outlets.
And I think the Liverpool media is finally starting to catch on to the lack of substance in this story. Recently, we've had headlines such as 'Liverpool walk away from Isak deal' and 'Forget Isak - Liverpool linked with Hugo Ekitike'... headlines that sound about as bitter as a jilted schoolboy that has been turned down from a prom date.
Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike: a possible teammate or replacement to Isak?
And on the subject of Ekitike...
Just as most Liverpool sources had finally woken up and smelt the coffee, they were hooked back in again once news of Newcastle's interest in the Frankfurt forward arose once more.
Now, as unlikely as it is that Newcastle would blow €100M on a position in which they already employ the world's best... the story has still allowed the Scousers to dream once more. Newcastle couldn't possibly have two talented options for one position, could they?
Sorry, Liverpool fans, but, they could... for a multitude of reasons...
1. Newcastle need strength in depth
We saw what happened last time Newcastle attempted to navigate the Champions League with only one fit striker...
It backfired massively. Callum Wilson endured his most injury-stricken season to date, and Isak was left to play through the pain barrier time after time. I for one, personally don't relish the thought of an Anthony Gordon or unproven William Osula leading the line against the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
I remember a time when Tottenham Hotspur had the likes of Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov and Mido at the club. Four very good strikers competing for 1-2 places. a season later, they brought in Darren Bent from Charlton after scoring 31 goals in two seasons at a struggling Charlton side. Looking back further, Manchester United had Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham, Dwight Yorke and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the 1998-1999 season.
As that treble-winning Manchester United side proved, the best teams have incredible depth. And Newcastle United want to be one of the best teams. Manchester City realised that Erling Haaland can't play every game, so they had Julian Alvarez, and later, Omar Marmoush. Nobody questioned that move, did they?
2. Alexander Isak has already played alongside other strikers in the Sweden set-up
Alexander Isak is a complete striker. So much so, he's almost been a victim of his own talent at times for Sweden, where he has been shifted out wide or into a deeper role to accommodate the much more limited goal machine that is Viktor Gyokeres. Isak out wide worked a treat at times alongside Callum Wilson in the latter's 18-goal season that catapulted us to a Champion League place, and the idea of fielding Alexander Isak and a Hugo Ekitike (or someone else) together as a strike-force duo would be terrifying for defences, either from the start or as a Plan B.
3. Newcastle have already made a bid of €60 million for a striker this summer...
For those Liverpool fans naively thinking a striker move serves their narrative about Isak leaving, I implore them to consider the very recent move we made for a certain Brighton striker to the tune of €60 million. Yes, Joao Pedro ultimately chose Chelsea, but the intent from Newcastle was there, and showcased in very concrete terms, just how much Newcastle acknowledge they need quality senior reinforcements in the striker department.
Camp nou
The Camp Nou: A possible long-term destination for Isak?
There will be a day that Isak leaves Newcastle United... but it is not this day!
Having watched decades of trophy-less football and fourteen years of Mike Ashley's rule... I am of course a realist in football. Alexander Isak will most likely end up playing elsewhere at some point. Whether it's for higher wages, the possibility of regular silverware, or realising a childhood dream.
On that last note, it feels very fitting that Alexander Isak will end up at Barcelona at some point. It all seems to click. Isak has spoken openly about his childhood, growing up watching La Liga, and while he has already realised that dream by playing for Real Sociedad, lighting up the Camp Nou would be a different prospect altogether.
There is also the knowledge that Barcelona require a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski. The Catalan club's finances are not in an ideal state right now, but give them 12... 18 months to get their finances in order, by which time Isak may be nearing the end of his current deal... it could be a lot more affordable by then.
Add in that Newcastle's hierarchy have appeared stubbornly resistant to interest from Super League 6 clubs in their star players. The Toon has held strong on links to Manchester City for Bruno Guimaraes and Tino Livramento, as well as Anthony Gordon and Isak to Arsenal and Liverpool. In fact, Newcastle were so opposed to strengthening a league rival, they preferred to lose Elliot Anderson and Yankubah Minteh to 'smaller teams' instead.
I imagine Alexander Isak to Barcelona will be much more likely agreement than to a rival in our league.
So, sorry Liverpool fans, you might want to flipflop back to the argument that 'Isak is overrated' and that you were 'never in for him anyway' very soon...