Alexander Isak’s transfer saga dominated headlines this summer.
Since the start of June, the Sweden international has wanted to make the move to Anfield and become a Liverpool player.
Although it took until deadline day for a move to be sealed, the fact that he’s now a Liverpool player means that Arne Slot has one of the best teams in the world at his disposal.
Newcastle fans have understandably been left rather annoyed with the way that Isak forced his way out of St James’ Park this summer.
Liverpool Unveil New Signing Alexander Isak
Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
This is fairly understandable, as, to prise him away from Newcastle, the Reds have had to break the British record transfer fee once again.
Anthony Elanga says that Newcastle still think Alexander Isak is a “very good” player
Although the bridges between Isak and Newcastle’s fanbase have certainly been burned, not all that much has been said by his former teammates.
As mentioned, the saga dominated the transfer window, and although it ended up with the striker joining Liverpool, the Magpies still got a more than respectable fee for his transfer.
Indeed, his goals will be hard to replace for Newcastle this season, even though Nick Woltemade has been brought in.
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And, while away on international duty, Newcastle ace Anthony Elanga has shared how the Magpies’ squad really feels about Isak forcing his way out of the club.
“Isak is a Liverpool player right now. I have the chance to play with him in the national team. He had a good career at Newcastle, but right now he is a Liverpool player. Good luck to him,” he said.
“It has been chill. He had a contract with us, and right now he is with Liverpool. We all think he is a very good player. We lost a good player, but we also signed good players. Hopefully, we can look forward and focus on this season.
“It’s his choice. He chose Liverpool. Good luck to him. He is a friend to me and a fantastic footballer.
“I can play with him in the national team, and that is good as well.”
Liverpool must win the Premier League now that they have Alexander Isak
Even before Liverpool went on their massive spending spree this summer, Slot’s men were seen as the favourites to come away with the Premier League title.
However, now that they’ve spent over £400million on improving their ranks with players such as Isak and Florian Wirtz joining the club, anything but a title win will be seen as a failure.
Indeed, it was clear that a fair few areas of Liverpool’s first-team squad needed upgrading, and that’s exactly what’s happened.
Arne Slot looks on during Liverpool's Premier League match against Arsenal at Anfield.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
However, with the quality they now have among their ranks, there’s going to be so much more added pressure upon their shoulders.
At the moment, everything seems to be going smoothly with Liverpool adding nine points to their top-flight tally, but as the season goes on, things could change, and the Reds could end up on the back foot, which would be far from ideal.