Liverpool striker Alexander Isak endured a tough time upon his return to St James' Park on Sunday
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Alexander Isak of Liverpool during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on August 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak was targeted by Newcastle fans on Sunday(Image: 2026 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
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It wasn't the return to St James' Park that Alexander Isak would have envisaged as Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United on Sunday. The Swedish star left the Magpies for the Reds last summer in a £125million deal, which stands as the British transfer record.
Isak's expensive departure was acrimonious to say the least after he downed tools in order to engineer his move to Anfield. So, the stage was perhaps set for the forward to dish out retribution after he was verbally abused by sections of the Newcastle faithful upon arrival at his former stomping ground on Sunday afternoon.
The Swedish international was jeered heavily when he left the Liverpool team coach to enter the stadium, with chants of 'rat' audible. Loud whistles and boos also accompanied his every touch during the game as he struggled to impose himself on proceedings.
A body language expert has claimed Isak, upon arrival at Newcastle, was eager to "get away" from the fans who used to adore him. He's also been accused of trying to act as if he was unbothered by the hostility, when he "clearly was."
Darren Stanton said via OLBG: "Alexander Isak does something called lip suppression when he first arrives at St. James' Park. His lips are closed, pierced and slightly compressed. There's no arrival smile or anything like that from someone who is returning to his former home ground. He's very aware of the reception he's receiving and what is being chanted.
"The next thing I notice is that his eyebrows are slightly lowered, and he's looking downwards before entering the ground. This actually shows he wants to get away from the Newcastle fans as quickly as possible.
"He's trying to act like he's not bothered by it, but he clearly is. When people don't look around, they try to imply that they are not bothered and that they don't care. It wouldn't surprise me if he wasn't actually listening to any music at all!
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"With Isak, he comes across as very guarded and doesn't want any of us to read his emotions. He's like a stone and doesn't want to project anything. No anger, no excitement and no disgust. In terms of the way he is walking, it's quite purposeful. But he just wants to get away from it as quickly as possible.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Alexander Isak of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on August 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Isak struggled on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)
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"Overall, I would say that Isak is very aware of how he is thought of by Newcastle fans. He's clearly unhappy about it. Otherwise, he'd be displaying different emotions. I'd go as far as saying there are eight or nine consistent red flags of behaviour that tell us Alexander Isak is not happy on his return to Newcastle United."
Andoni Iraola's side were made to fight hard for a point at St James' Park. Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock hit either side of Cody Gakpo's strike to give the Magpies a 2-1 lead.
Dominik Szoboszlai rescued a point for the Reds with a 99th-minute penalty after Victor Munoz was brought tumbling to the ground by the Magpies' Lewis Hall.
Isak missed two big chances and only had six touches in the opposition box on what was ultimately a day to forget for Liverpool's record signing.
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