Alexander Isak's struggles since his lucrative Liverpool move continued as he missed another crucial clash for Arne Slot's side
Alexander Isak before a Liverpool game
Alexander Isak has struggled with injury problems for Liverpool since his move from Newcastle(Image: Getty Images)
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Former Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has been forced to miss another match as his Liverpool injury problems continue. The £125million summer signing has been plagued with issues following his high-profile St James' Park exit, with his latest meaning he had to sit out of the Champions League qualification showdown with Aston Villa.
Isak had returned for Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Chelsea six days ago but his comeback against the Londoners came after missing the defeat to Manchester United. The Swede has faced recurring problems before a broken leg before Christmas forced him out for a number of months and since recovering from the surgery, the injury issues have continued.
Liverpool needed to avoid defeat to all-but secure a place in next season's Champions League. According to the Liverpool ECHO, Arne Slot's side were optimistic that he would be fit to feature on the final day of the season against Brentford as he was not risked for the showdown against Villa.
But for the former Newcastle man, his Liverpool nightmare has continued having went on strike in order to force a record-breaking move to Merseyside.
Isak's conduct during the summer proved detrimental for the Magpies as Eddie Howe's side were forced to dip into the market to sign a replacement, having already been in the market for a player to feature alongside the 26-year-old.
Both Nick Woltemade and Yoan Wissa have endured their own struggles in the North East following their moves in the summer. While the Germany international made a bright start to his Newcastle career, he hasn't managed to maintain his form.
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Wissa hasn't been able to showcase the talents that he displayed for Brentford that warranted the hefty price-tag to make the move.
Newcastle sit in the bottom half of the table and will be looking to finish strong in the final two matches of the season to salvage a respectable finish with the prospect of no European football on the horizon.
Speaking in January, Howe was forced to admit that they were still dealing with the impact of Isak's controversial move.
He said: "It's an ever-challenging thing. 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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