Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer said he wanted Alexander Isak to step up and take Liverpool's late penalty during the tense clash at St James' Park
Alan Shearer wanted Alexander Isak to step up and show his bottle against Newcastle United.
Alan Shearer wanted Alexander Isak to step up and show his bottle against Newcastle United.(Image: (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images))
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer wanted to see Alexander Isak show what he was about after Liverpool were awarded a late penalty at St. James' Park before drawing level with the Magpies.
The Magpies great wanted to see Isak step up and face the pressure of taking the penalty, having been 'battered' by the St James' Park crowd throughout the match on his first return to the club since going on strike to force a move to Liverpool last summer.
The Newcastle faithful made their feelings clear from the outset, with the Swedish striker booed, cheered and X-rated chants aimed in his direction after stepping off the team bus.
That hostile atmosphere continued throughout the match, with the Swede met with boos and every error or challenge against him greeted with cheers from the St. James' Park faithful.
Get Chronicle Premium now for just £1HERE– exclusive news and features, our NUFC and Academy notebooks, plus an ad-lite experience
The 26-year-old endured a difficult debut season with the Reds due to injury, netting just four goals in all competitions across 22 appearances for Arne Slot's side.
When Liverpool were awarded a late penalty after Lewis Hall brought down Victor Munoz, Newcastle supporters feared Isak would step up to take the spot-kick and exact his revenge.
However, it was Dominik Szoboszlai who drilled the ball into the top corner of Lukas Hornicek's net, leaving the Newcastle goalkeeper with absolutely no chance and securing a share of the points.
Shearer, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards all anticipated that Isak would be the one to step up and take the penalty.
Alexander Isak of Liverpool reacts to being nudged by Anthony Elanga of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool
Alexander Isak didn't take Liverpool's penalty against Newcastle United(Image: (Photo by Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Richards said: "I've never heard boos like that in my life.
"You would have heard even bigger ones if he'd had the balls to take the penalty," Lineker said.
Shearer chirped in: "That's what I was thinking! I was thinking 'Go on, come and take the penalty! What have you got? Go and grab the ball and take the penalty Isak.'".
Lineker said: "I think that was the right decision from Liverpool not to give it to him because that pressure would have been enormous. I was thinking 'surely not, surely he's not going to take this.'".
Shearer said: "I wanted him to go and take it. I was thinking 'Come on, you've been absolutely battered. Lets see what you've got. Go and grab the ball and take the penalty.'"
Content Image
Content Image
"I bet as soon as you - sitting in the stand Alan - saw Szoboszlai taking it you thought 'Oh no he's gonna score," Lineker replied.
"What a penalty it was by the way," Shearer conceded. "Top bins!".
While Newcastle supporters directed X-rated chants towards Isak, the Swedish forward received a warm reception from the travelling Liverpool faithful and took to social media to express his gratitude in a brief statement.
Posting on social media, the 26-year-old said: "Season kicked off. Thank you for the immense support Reds. We go on to the next #ynwa".