Everton 1-4 Newcastle United: Joe Buck reaction
It was a transfer deal that dominated the headlines throughout the summer transfer window.
Alexander Isak’s move from Newcastle United to Liverpool provided one of the stories of the summer transfer window - and the Sweden striker has continued to hit the headlines as his struggles at Anfield continue.
The former Real Sociedad and Borussia Dortmund forward forged a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most feared strikers as he plundered his way to 62 goals in 109 appearances during a three-year stay on Tyneside and helped the Magpies end their 70-year wait for major domestic silverware when he found the net in a 2-1 Carabao Cup final win against Liverpool
However, Isak made it clear he wished to bring an end to his time in black and white during the summer and effectively went on strike to force a move away from the club. As a desperately disappointing saga was played out in public, Isak eventually got his wish as a reported £125m offer from Liverpool was enough to persuade Newcastle to authorise the move in the final days of the transfer window.
Isak has struggled to adapt to life at Anfield as a battle with niggling injuries and an inability to find form have meant he has scored just one goal in ten appearances in all competitions for the Reds and he is yet to score in five Premier League appearances for his new club.
Former Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt has described the circumstances surround the Sweden international’s move from Tyneside to Merseyside as ‘ridiculous’ and believes ‘alarm bells’ should have been ringing around Anfield after the conduct Isak display during his final weeks as a Magpie.
Trouble
Butt was named Newcastle United’s Player of the Year in 2006/07.placeholder image
Butt was named Newcastle United’s Player of the Year in 2006/07. | Getty Images
"I still think the Isak one, even though he did really well at Newcastle, I think the price tag for him was ridiculous," Butt told the Good, the Bad and the Football podcast. "The circumstances were ridiculous and I do think when you bring people into a squad, if you upset the apple cart if you like, that squad had just won the league. If you bring a player in for that much money who has just kicked up such a fuss to leave a club that looked after him and, let's be honest, gave him a chance, that is alarm bells ringing for me.
"I don't care what anybody says and I understand why the lad wanted to leave Newcastle because Liverpool had just won the league but that is alarm bells ringing for me. I am telling you now if you start messing about with a squad's dynamic that has done so well the year before then you are asking for trouble. I know it is easy to sit here and say it in the aftermath but with Isak and the circumstances around it all, it is just never going to work."
Continue Reading