Liverpool secured Alexander Isak’s signature on transfer deadline day after a serious transfer saga with Newcastle United.
Wednesday night saw Alexander Isak make his Liverpool debut, more than a fortnight since finally arriving at Anfield.
Weeks of speculation finally came to an end as Isak joined Liverpool in a £125million move from Newcastle United on transfer deadline day.
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The international break delayed Isak’s Liverpool debut, before Arne Slot left him out against Burnley.
Liverpool didn’t want to rush Isak into action, but named him in the starting XI to face Atletico Madrid.
Alexander Isak in action during Liverpool v Atletico Madrid
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Rafael Benitez on Newcastle United reaction to Alexander Isak’s Liverpool move
Isak impressed alongside Florian Wirtz in the Liverpool side, and he tested Jan Oblak with a couple of efforts as Liverpool beat Atletico 3-2 at Anfield.
Virgil van Dijk’s winner handed Liverpool the victory, after the Reds squandered a 2-0 lead against the La Liga side.
Before the game, former Liverpool and Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez spoke to TNT Sports (17/09, 7:15pm) about Isak’s move to Anfield.
Benitez claimed to have spoken to ‘Newcastle people’, which presumably means staff inside St James’ Park.
Benitez suggested that Isak is already being missed at Newcastle, praising his style of play in the process.
The Spaniard believes that Isak will be a ‘great signing’ for the Reds, but thinks Newcastle will seriously miss his impact in attack.
“I will tell you a secret; talking with Newcastle United people, they say they are missing him, because he was doing so well, he adapted to the style, to the game, he’s clever, he can play in the middle but go wide, the runs in behind… I think he will be a great signing for Liverpool and a big miss for Newcastle United,” said Benitez.
Mixed fortunes for Newcastle United attackers after Alexander Isak exit
Any team would miss a striker of Isak’s quality, and it was no surprise to see him catch the eye against Atletico.
Newcastle are now looking towards new attacking heroes, but Eddie Howe’s new forwards are enduring mixed fortunes.
Yoane Wissa joined Newcastle from Brentford but picked up an injury on international duty with DR Congo, meaning he won’t play until October at the earliest.
Nick Woltemade also joined Newcastle, completing a big-money move from Bundesliga side Stuttgart.
Woltemade scored the winner on his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, using his huge frame to head the ball home at St James’ Park.
Wissa’s Newcastle career is off to a rocky start, but Woltemade will look to continue his instant impact against Barcelona on Thursday night.