Two months after Alexander Isak’s blockbuster transfer from Newcastle United to Liverpool, fans and pundits are still divided over the deal that shook the Premier League.
The Swedish forward forced his way out of St. James’ Park in a dramatic £130 million move, after refusing to train until a deal was done.
Many expected Isak to become Liverpool’s next big attacking star, but the reality has been far from the fairytale he envisioned.
So far, Isak has managed just one goal against Championship side Southampton while Liverpool have slumped to four straight defeats, including a painful loss to Manchester United.
The pressure is now firmly on new manager Arne Slot, who continues to defend his record signing despite growing criticism from fans.
Many argue that Isak looks lost without the system Eddie Howe built around him at Newcastle, where his pace, movement, and sharp finishing once made him a standout star.
BBC Sport recently invited fans to rate Liverpool’s performance against Manchester United, and the neutral comments on Isak were brutal. Some fans joked that he “might as well be on strike again” since he’s barely making an impact.
Others claimed he was “carried by Newcastle’s system” and simply “not fitting in at Liverpool.” A few went even further, calling the transfer “a £130 million mistake” and comparing him to Andy Carroll one of Liverpool’s most infamous flops.
Many fans criticized the striker’s attitude, arguing that his forced exit from Newcastle set a dangerous precedent for player power.
“If players keep doing what Isak did, what’s the point of contracts?” one comment read. Others said they wished Newcastle had benched him for the rest of his contract to teach him a lesson.
Still, a small group defended Isak, claiming Newcastle’s owners went back on a promise to allow him to leave.
They argued that any player would have accepted Liverpool’s massive offer and that the blame should be shared between both clubs.
“Liverpool didn’t need him,” one neutral wrote, “and Newcastle were smart to let him go. It’s Liverpool that look silly now.”
Criticism also fell on Arne Slot’s tactics. Fans questioned why he continues to start Isak over Hugo Ekitike, who impressed earlier in the season.
One comment read, “What was Slot thinking? Ekitike came on and looked better in 15 minutes than Isak has all season.”
Liverpool supporters, once thrilled by the signing, are quickly losing patience. Some called Isak’s performances “lazy” and “embarrassing,” while others mocked his £300,000-per-week salary.
One fan wrote, “He’s taken working from home to a new level.” Another added, “Had to check at half-time to see if he was even playing.”
The contrast between Isak’s struggles and Newcastle’s resurgence under Howe has made the story even more compelling.
Newcastle’s new striker has already matched Isak’s goal tally at half the price, reinforcing the view that the Magpies got the better end of the deal. One commenter summed it up bluntly: “Liverpool got their pants pulled down by Newcastle on this one.”
There’s also a growing belief that Liverpool’s system doesn’t suit Isak’s style. Unlike Newcastle, where he thrived as a fast, direct striker with space to exploit, Liverpool’s possession-heavy setup seems to restrict his movement.
Without runners around him or quick transitions, Isak has often been isolated and ineffective in the final third.
Despite all the criticism, some fans are still holding out hope that he can rediscover his form. They point to his track record over 100 career goals as proof that his quality hasn’t vanished overnight.
However, as Liverpool continue to struggle, patience is wearing thin, and faith in the £130 million investment is fading fast.
For now, Alexander Isak remains one of the most talked-about players in English football not for his brilliance, but for his struggles.
Whether he can turn things around at Anfield or become another expensive misstep in Liverpool’s transfer history is still to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: Newcastle fans are watching every minute, and they’re smiling.
