Former Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez says he’s spoken to people at the club about Liverpool star Alexander Isak.
Isak tarnished his legacy at Newcastle United by forcing a move to Liverpool on deadline day and the striker made his debut for the Reds on Wednesday night.
Benitez, who managed both Newcastle and Liverpool of course, was speaking while on punditry duty during Liverpool’s Champions League against Atletico Madrid.
Newcastle received a British record fee for Isak but the Sweden star did not go with many well wishes, given his conduct.
Still, Benitez has lifted the lid on some conversations he’s had behind the scenes.
Alexander Isak playing for Liverpool against Atletico Madrid.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Rafa Benitez says people at Newcastle United are missing Alexander Isak
The Spaniard revealed that the people he’s spoken to at the club are indeed missing the 25-year-old.
That is only natural. For all the ill-feeling towards him now, there’s little doubt that Isak is one of the best strikers in the world and any team in the world would miss a player of his quality.
“I will tell you a secret, talking to Newcastle United people, they are missing him,” Benitez told TNT Sports.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
“He was doing so well, he was adapting to the style, to the game.
Rafa Benitez reacts while working as a football pundit ahead of Liverpool's Champions League game against Atletico Madrid.
Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
“He is clever with his movements; he can play in the middle or he can go wide.
“He runs in behind and he can dribble.
“So I think it will be a great signing for Liverpool and a big miss for Newcastle United.”
Nick Woltemade certainly made a start at replacing him on Saturday by scoring the winner on his debut against Wolves but expecting the German to instantly reach Isak’s level is unfair.
How people at Newcastle United really feel about Alexander Isak
By the time he actually left, Isak’s departure came as a welcome relief. It was a transfer saga that dragged across the summer and one that no doubt drained the people watching on.
None of that is because of the quality of the player, however.
Indeed, Newcastle know they are a weaker team without Isak. That much is obvious, he really is that good.
Still, it’s all about building for the future now. Isak was brilliant and will be almost impossible to directly replace.
That doesn’t mean a new age cannot dawn on Tyneside.