Alexander Isak was a shell of his former self on his first appearance at St James’ Park as a Liverpool player.
Michael Owen believes Alexander Isak is running out of excuses to justify his £125million price tag.
The sulking Swede was public enemy No.1 as he returned to Newcastle United for the first time since his controversial transfer. From the moment he arrived, the boo boys were out in force for a player previously worshipped on Tyneside.
Isak looked like a shell of his former self, with the peak of his woes coming on 68 minutes. A wayward shot blazes high and wide into the Leazes Stand - inspiring sarcastic cheers inside the ground.
Michael Owen slams Alexander Isak
Owen - no stranger to a hostile St James’ Park reception - has insisted Isak can no longer hide at Anfield. With Mohamed Salah gone and Hugo Ekitike injured, he is calling on the British record signing to step up.
“I had plenty of injuries in my career so I know how hard it is to get back,” Owen told talkSPORT. “You do need a bit of time. Everyone has given him time. He finished the season and went to the World Cup, now he’s had a pre-season and you think ‘Ok, we’re running out of excuses’.
“We need to start seeing the real Isak. We know how good he is, we saw him for Newcastle. He’s absolutely class. We haven’t seen it for Liverpool just yet and questions will come now. Liverpool absolutely need him. Yesterday, he was far from it - I thought he was a yard off.”
Michael Owen on penalty debate
A debate emerged post-match as to whether Isak should have taken Liverpool's stoppage-time penalty. Ultimately, Dominik Szoboszlai dispatched a perfect spot-kick but a £125million striker watching on - after being griefed from the terraces all did - raised eyebrows.
“I had this debate,” Owen added. “I was doing the game for TV last night. It’s one of those, isn’t it? If you’re not the allocated penalty taker then it’s very hard (to take the ball). We’ve seen over the years, people squabbling on the pitch - it’s not a good look at all.
“Added to that, he was already under a lot of pressure. Imagine grabbing that ball in the 97th minute or whatever it was. Imagine not scoring! I know it would be good for him to get off the mark and get going but if he wasn’t the allocated penalty taker, he shouldn’t be taking it.”