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Alexander Isak’s broken leg has taken him out of the Liverpool firing line following his Newcastle United move.
Football financial expert Stefan Borson has claimed all parties lost in the Alexander Isak saga.
Despite Liverpool’s outlandish £130million now appearing to be the worst piece of business over the summer, he has singled Newcastle United out for Yoane Wissa’s transfer fee. Isak is currently sidelined with a broken leg, having scored just three goals in 16 games for the Reds.
That is a far cry from 62 goals he bagged in three injury-hit seasons at St James’ Park. A turbulent summer resulted in the Swede downing tools - refusing to train or play until he forced through a Liverpool move.
This tarnished Isak’s legendary status on Tyneside - which became etched in stone for delivering the Carabao Cup. The 26-year-old has received little sympathy from Newcastle fans for his dramatic downfall at Anfield.
Financial expert fires Newcastle United dig
Speaking to Football Insider, monetary guru Borson insisted everyone was a loser in the Isak deal but reserved added woe for Newcastle. He said: “You effectively bought a player and you’ve lost almost an entire season of one of the most expensive players ever, but that is just the game and there’s no precise science to it.
“Ultimately, everybody played hardball in the summer and I think everybody lost really. I mean, Newcastle lost because they ended up losing the player but also overpaying for the replacement.
“Not so much for Woltemade I suppose with the benefit of seeing how it’s performed, but certainly Wissa was clearly overpriced as part of that transaction. They’re doing okay in the Champions League, but they’re obviously very disappointing in the Premier League.”
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Eddie Howe swerves Alexander Isak question
For most Newcastle fans, Isak is now persona non grata, with all of his bridges burned. The 26-year-old suffered a broken leg against Tottenham Hotspur before Christmas and there was little sympathy from Toon circles to the news.
While reflecting on the Carabao Cup win, Howe was asked whether he believes Isak’s reputation at Newcastle has been ruined. Unsurprisingly, he preferred to focus on the moment that helped get the Magpies over the line.
“I'd probably just look at that individually in the moment, and the moment is a really special one for the football club and Alex played his part in the season,” Howe told Sky Sports. “You look at him as a footballer and he's an incredible footballer, he can do things that I've not seen many others do. And I think the thing I love about that goal for him is just (how) deadly (it was).”
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