Alan Shearer wanted striker Alexander Isak to step up and take Liverpool's late penalty on his first return to Newcastle since his British-record move to Anfield
Alan Shearer wanted to see Alexander Isak step up and take Liverpool's penalty against Newcastle
Alan Shearer wanted to see Alexander Isak step up and take Liverpool's penalty against Newcastle(Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle icon Alan Shearer was keen to see Alexander Isak step forward and convert Liverpool's late penalty against the Magpies on Sunday, having been "battered" by the St. James' Park faithful throughout the match.
It marked the Swedish international's first return to Tyneside since he effectively went on strike to engineer a move to Anfield last summer for a British record transfer fee of £125 million ($170 million). The 26-year-old endured a difficult debut season with the Reds, hampered by injury and managing just four goals across all competitions in 22 appearances for Arne Slot's side.
Isak was afforded a decidedly chilly homecoming, met with boos and jeers as he stepped off the team bus and entered the stadium.
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That hostile atmosphere persisted throughout the entire match, with the Swede whistled at and every misplaced pass or challenge against him greeted with cheers from the home support.
When Liverpool was handed a late spot-kick after Lewis Hall brought down Victor Munoz, Newcastle supporters dreaded the prospect of Isak stepping up to take it and exacting his revenge.
As it turned out, it was Dominik Szoboszlai who drilled the ball into the top corner of Lukas Hornicek's net, leaving the Newcastle goalkeeper utterly helpless and securing a point apiece for both sides.
Isak left Newcastle for Liverpool a year ago
Isak left Newcastle for Liverpool a year ago(Image: Getty Images)
Shearer, Gary Lineker, and Micah Richards had all anticipated that Isak would be the one to take the penalty. Reflecting on the atmosphere during The Rest Is Football podcast, Richards remarked: "I've never heard boos like that in my life."
Lineker replied: "You would have heard even bigger ones if he'd had the balls to take the penalty."
Shearer then chirped in: "That's what I was thinking! I was thinking, 'Go on, come and take the penalty! What have you got? Go and grab the ball and take the penalty, Isak.'"
Lineker responded: "I think that was the right decision from Liverpool not to give it to him because that pressure would have been enormous. I was thinking, 'Surely not, surely he's not going to take this.'"
Shearer added: "I wanted him to go and take it. I was thinking, 'Come on, you've been absolutely battered. Let's see what you've got. Go and grab the ball and take the penalty.'"
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"I bet as soon as you — sitting in the stand, Alan — saw Szoboszlai taking it, you thought, 'Oh no he's gonna score,'" Lineker replied.
"What a penalty it was by the way," Shearer acknowledged. "Top bins!"
In stark contrast to the X-rated chants from Newcastle supporters, Isak received warm support from the Liverpool away contingent and subsequently acknowledged them on social media with a brief message. Writing on social media, the 26-year-old stated: "Season kicked off. Thank you for the immense support Reds. We go on to the next #ynwa".