Alexander Isak has responded to comments made by Alan Shearer after the Liverpool striker made his first return to Newcastle United
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 booed throughout his first return to Newcastle United following his £125m move to Liverpool(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Alexander Isak has branded Alan Shearer demands that he took Liverpool's last-gasp penalty on his first return to Newcastle United as 'irrelevant'.
On the opening day of the season Isak was back at St James' Park for the first time since his controversial, British transfer-record £125m switch from Newcastle to Liverpool in September 2025.
The Sweden international was booed and jeered from the moment he stepped off the Reds' team bus into their hotel until he got back on it after the pulsating 2-2 draw.
It looked as if the Magpies were going to be the side celebrating until Liverpool were awarded a spot-kick deep into injury-time after Victor Munoz was fouled in the box by Lewis Hall.
Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to take the penalty, which he dispatched unerringly into the top corner to earn the Reds a share of the spoils.
But speaking on The Rest of Football podcast after the contest, Newcastle legend Shearer said Isak should have taken the chance to shut the home fans up by taking responsibility from 12 yards.
He said: "I was thinking: 'Go on, come and take the penalty! What have you got? Go and grab the ball and take the penalty Isak'.
"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'."
But when those comments were put to Isak, who is currently away on international duty with Sweden, he casually brushed them aside.
"Szoboszlai was the penalty taker for that match," said the striker, who turned 27 on Monday, to Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen.
"It’s a bit irrelevant (Shearer's verdict). Those are team matters, and it’s not for the media or the supporters to decide who should take a penalty. I’m always hungry."
And when asked about the amount of verbal abuse he received at the hands of supporters who used to adore him, Isak said: "It was special. I was prepared for the atmosphere, so it was a special match."
Alexander Isak of Liverpool celebrating after scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match at Bournemouth on September 20 2026
Alexander Isak of Liverpool celebrating after scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match at Bournemouth on September 20 2026(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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The Swede struggled during the match but since then he has hit four goals in four Premier League games, leaving him just one behind the top-flight's leading marksman Erling Haaland.
It also means he has already matched his goal contribution tally for the whole of last season when he was hampered by injury and lack of fitness.
Isak, though, started five of six games for Sweden during the summer including all four at the World Cup, where they were eliminated at the round of 32 stage by France.
And having made six starts already this season - and playing the full 90 minutes on three occasions - the former Real Sociedad star is now being primed for regular outings in Sweden's forthcoming UEFA Nations League games against Romania home and away, Poland at home and Bosnia & Herzegovina away.
Liverpool can ill-afford to lose Isak given he is their only senior fit and available centre-forward with Hugo Ekitike sidelined.
But he has confirmed the Reds have not been in touch with Sweden boss Graham Potter over the minutes he will play over the international break.
"No, nothing," said Isak. "Graham is free to use me, but it’s four matches in a short period, so we’ll need to look at playing time for the sake of the team. If you play four lots of 90 minutes, maybe you don’t give your best, but I feel good and there shouldn’t be any problems.”