Alexander Isak says there is a lot to discuss and ‘not every has the whole picture’ on his controversial move from Newcastle to Liverpool, but does not intend to go into details any time soon.
Of the many summer transfer sagas, Isak’s was probably the most bitter as the Swedish striker refused to play for the Magpies to force through a move to the Reds.
Newcastle did not want to sell their star man, but eventually succumbed to the situation and accepted a bid of £125m from the Premier League champions.
The 25-year-old completed the move just before the transfer window closed and made his first appearance since the end of last season for Sweden against Kosovo on Monday night.
The Swedes suffered a shock 2-0 defeat in the World Cup qualifier, with Isak only coming on in the 72nd minute due to his lack of match fitness.
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The forward was asked about his change of clubs after the game, particularly Newcastle’s curt confirmation of his exit, which seemed to illustrate that there remained ill-will till the end.
‘It’s clear that not everyone has the whole picture, but that’s something for another day,’ he said.
‘That’s part of football. I can’t control everything that is said or written. But I’m glad I became a Liverpool player. That’s what I wanted and I’m happy about that.
‘There is a lot to discuss, and it can be discussed for a long time. It has been educational, and I’m happy with the final result.
‘I’m happy and proud to be a Liverpool player. I don’t want to go into details or talk about that situation too much. It is a closed chapter, but I have never had any problems.
‘It’s great that things were cleared up before the (Sweden) squad and that I could focus on playing football again.
Newcastle statement on Isak exit
‘We can can announce the sale of striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a significant British record transfer fee.
‘The Sweden international joined the Magpies from Real Sociedad in 2022 and made 109 appearances in all competitions.’
‘It’s been a fairly new situation for me, but you always learn and develop mentally off the pitch too.
‘Right now, the disappointment is about this match and how it went. It was a tough loss. It’s clear we’re underperforming. But at the same time, I have a positive feeling about the club team part that is coming.’
Liverpool fans will be looking forward to seeing Isak in action, but when he will be fit to start is unclear as Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson said his late cameo was all he was fit for against Kosovo.
‘This was the maximum number of minutes I could give him,’ Tomasson told Viaplay. ‘We have talked in recent days about what risks there are and what is not a risk. It is extremely difficult to take a risk.
‘I want to play him every minute. You can see right away that he is dangerous and creates things.
‘But we also need him next month, the month after that and next year.’
Alexander Isak Premier League stats
Apps: 86
Goals: 54
Assists: 9
Isak’s former Newcastle and current Sweden teammate Emil Krafth also suggested media reports were overstated, especially that the forward’s move had created dressing room divides.
‘There were many who wanted to see Alex stay, but you understand how football works,’ Krafth told Sportbladet. ‘For me, Alex is not just a footballer, but a close friend too. The media wrote that the locker room would be divided. That is certainly not true.
“Football players understand football players, and we can only wish him the best of luck. As Anthony [Elanga] said, it has been very chill. No one has said or done anything. It is just taken out of thin air.’