Liverpool will be without Alexander Isak while he recovers from injuryplaceholder image
Liverpool will be without Alexander Isak while he recovers from injury | Getty Images
Newcastle United supporters were left heartbroken by Alexander Isak’s actions last summer.
Wayne Rooney believes Alexander Isak only has himself to blame for his dire start at Liverpool.
Just three goals in all competitions since ditching Newcastle United has done little to justify his £130million transfer fee. To make matters worse for the Swede, he is currently sidelined with a broken leg and could miss the remainder of the season.
Isak struggled to regain his fitness before the freak injury and returned to the public eye to cheer on Liverpool against Newcastle at the weekend. The 26-year-old burned all of his bridges at St James’ Park by refusing to train or play - and many believe this directly impacted his form for the Reds.
‘His own fault’ - Wayne Rooney
Speaking on his podcast, Manchester United legend Rooney slammed Isak - insisting he is at fault for being injured. He said: "I think it's his own fault. You know, he didn't train with Newcastle. There's no harm in asking, in leaving Newcastle for Liverpool. I think logically, probably nine out 10 Newcastle players would do that now.
"But I think the way he went about it and not training with the team, he left himself short without a pre-season. And then he picked up his first injury. I know the second one (injury) is a tackle, but he hasn't been match fit since he's been at Liverpool, I don't think.
"We always talk about the mental side of the game and there's big pressure playing at big clubs. He knows that. Newcastle is a big club, their fan base, I can imagine that being a tough team to play for with how passionate the Newcastle fans are.
"So he'll have known and expected that. But his Liverpool career just hasn't got up and going yet."
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Eddie Howe on losing Alexander Isak
Eddie Howe reflected on losing Isak before the Liverpool defeat. He told reporters: "You lose a player like Alex - and let's put this right, Liverpool paid the money they did because he's an outstanding footballer, an unbelievable talent.
"We were privileged to have him for the years that we had him. We loved working with him. He was an outstanding player. When you take that player away from your team, it's going to change the dynamics, that's for sure.
“Then you have to try to find a way of, not replacing him, but finding a player or players who can still make the team really effective. We're still in that moment and we've been trying to do that all season. I think the guys who have come in have done a very good job.
"But we're still finding ways to get the best out of the new players that we've signed without training, with very minimal time to do any work with them. There's been video analysis, talking to them, which is great, but it's not the same as getting the work on the training pitch. They've done really well and they're trying to give the team the best that they have and we are trying to adapt."
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