Alan Shearer has delivered an emphatic response to suggestions he is treating Alexander Isak’s situation differently to Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving Liverpool.
Isak is trying to force a move to Liverpool this summer but Newcastle United continue to stand firm.
Indeed, Newcastle have confirmed they do not see Isak leaving this summer despite ongoing interest from the Premier League champions.
Shearer has criticised Liverpool for their opening offer for Isak, as it fell well below Newcastle’s valuation.
The Newcastle United legend has also spoken out about Isak himself, suggesting he is going about things the wrong way.
Shearer has also faced criticism online from some Liverpool fans. They have claimed the fact he believed Trent Alexander-Arnold was free to do what he wants contradicts his stance on Isak.
Alexander-Arnold invoked the ire of Reds supporters by leaving for Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer. At the time, Shearer said: “It is that bad that they have to boo someone from their area, that’s chosen to do what he wants to do after doing what he’s done for Liverpool. Not a good look for me… not good. I don’t like it all.”
Now, he’s responded to the criticism.
Alan Shearer doing punditry at St James' Park.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Alan Shearer responds to Liverpool fans
Asked by Gary Lineker to address his opinion on the difference between Alexander-Arnold and Isak, the Premier League’s record goalscorer pointed out the obvious difference in their situations.
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Alexander-Arnold, of course, simply left a club on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract.
Isak, meanwhile, is seemingly trying to force his way out of a club when he still has three years to run on his contract.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Shearer said: “What a stupid question that is.
“You can’t compare them at all. Trent came to the end of his contract, he didn’t refuse to train, he didn’t refuse to play and then was well within his rights to leave.
“Now, Isak’s got three years on his contract. It doesn’t take a genius to work that out, does it? Come on.”
Alan Shearer now takes aim at Yoane Wissa too
Shearer is right, the situations are completely different. In fact, it’s difficult to see how anyone can equate the two.
Isak is well within his rights to want to leave, just as Alexander-Arnold was. The latter, however, had earned the right to do exactly what he wanted by fulfilling a contract. Isak has not.
Isak’s situation is similar to Yoane Wissa’s at Brentford.
Wissa is desperate to join Newcastle and is not playing for the Bees as a result.
That is an equally disappointing position to take and Shearer has criticised Wissa for his conduct.
He said: “You have a contract behind you. Now I always said there I understand there are two sides to every story, Isak might have a story which he hasn’t spoken about yet. Wissa might have a story which he hasn’t spoken about yet. I think I read this morning he’s deleted all his photographs of being in a Brentford shirt or anything to do with Brentford.
“I don’t know his side of the story but I don’t like it. I’m exactly the same as the Isak situation, it is not right.”