Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said that conversations with Newcastle employees have led him to believe that the Magpies are missing Alexander Isak.
Isak went on strike at his former club over the summer in a bid to force through a move to Anfield, and he finally got his wish on deadline day at the beginning of September. Newcastle signed two new strikers in Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa during the summer transfer window, but both players have a job on their hands to come anywhere close to replicating the impact that Isak had during his three-year spell on Tyneside.
Benitez, who managed Newcastle between 2016 and 2019, revealed on TNT Sports that he has spoken to people at the St. James' Park club about Isak's exit.
"I will tell you a secret, talking to Newcastle United people, they are missing him," he said. "He was doing so well, he was adapting to the style, to the game.
"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."
Isak made his Liverpool debut against Atletico Madrid
Isak made his Liverpool debut against Atletico Madrid (Image: 2025 Allstar)
Isak made his first appearance for Liverpool on Wednesday as he lined up in the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid. Isak was withdrawn after 58 minutes for Hugo Ekitike, but clearly left a positive first impression on his new boss.
"Yeah, particularly because I think in the 60 minutes he played he seemed to be quite fit," said Arne Slot, when asked whether he was impressed by the record signing's debut.
"It wasn't as if after 10 minutes he was already very tired. He could just play at this level quite well after only one or two weeks of team sessions, so that was the most positive thing, and that he can play football, and that is a joy to watch.
"That's not a surprise to me, but he was maybe fitter than I expected. But again, the fans don't get the hopes up too high, because it's good that he had his first 90 minutes, but we play three times a week and that's a bit too much for him still."
Pressed on whether Isak might start against Everton this weekend, Slot told TNT Sports: "It could be, but again, it could never be a 90-minute for him.
"So that is what we all have to understand, that people sometimes are like, 'Why is that not possible?'
"The problem is you need to make sure players are prepared for the program and therefore you need train with them. At this moment of time, that is not possible, but we are really happy that he could start today.
"He was good today, and when Hugo came in he, was a big threat also, so we have two great No. 9s and we're going to use them both of them throughout the whole period that they were here, but definitely now in the start."