Had huge drama at Newcastle before getting my Liverpool move – cause I had to do it
The current tension surrounding Alexander Isak at Newcastle United feels, for many long-time fans, like a story they have seen play out before.
As the Swedish striker pushes for a move to Liverpool, the situation carries strong echoes of a similar and painful departure from over a decade ago.
The sense of déjà vu is unmistakable, and it brings back memories of another fan favorite who left under a cloud: Jose Enrique.
Right now, the air at St. James’ Park is thick with disappointment. Alexander Isak, the team’s brilliant forward who scored 27 goals last season, seems determined to leave.
He has been training alone, missing the first three games of the season, and even released a strong statement accusing the club of breaking promises.
This comes after Liverpool saw a huge £110 million offer for him turned down at the start of August. Reports now suggest the Reds are preparing a record-breaking £130 million bid to finally get their man.
For the supporters, it’s a tough pill to swallow. They have watched their star player push for an exit in a very public way, and it has led to anger.
Fans have been chanting about greed, burning his jersey, and some have even confronted him in the street. It’s a messy and emotional situation for everyone involved.
This whole scenario is incredibly similar to what happened with Jose Enrique back in 2011. The Spanish left-back had become a real hero on Tyneside. He was a key part of the team that won the Championship and had grown into one of the best defenders in the league. The fans adored him. But behind the scenes, he was growing frustrated.
The club, under owner Mike Ashley, was selling its most important players. First, it was Andy Carroll to Liverpool. Then, captain Kevin Nolan was sold to West Ham.
Manager Chris Hughton had been fired. Enrique felt the club’s ambition was disappearing. He wasn’t pushing for a move because he wanted more money; he wanted to win trophies and play in Europe, and he no longer believed that was possible at Newcastle.
His frustration boiled over during the team’s pre-season trip to Florida. In a social media post that shocked everyone, he wrote that the club was letting all its best players leave and would never fight for the top six again with its current policy.
He said the amazing fans deserved better. The post caused immediate drama and burned his bridges with many supporters.
Looking back on it years later, Enrique admitted it was a mistake made by a passionate 25-year-old. He was angry and heartbroken to see a team with so much potential being broken apart.
He revealed that his heart wanted to stay at Newcastle for his entire career and become a legend there. But his head, and the advice of his brother, told him that when a historic club like Liverpool comes calling with ambition and a vision to win, a player has to go.
A football career is short, and the chance to compete for the biggest trophies is rare.
In a twist of fate, after his acrimonious move to Anfield, Newcastle actually finished fifth that season—ahead of Liverpool in eighth. But Enrique did eventually win the League Cup with Liverpool, achieving the trophy success he craved.
This history is why the Isak situation feels so familiar. While the clubs are in different places now both have recently played in the Champions League the feeling of a star player forcing a move to a perceived bigger club is identical.
For the fans, it feels like another betrayal, another chapter in a story where their beloved players leave for what they believe are greener pastures. The drama is high, the emotions are raw, and the memory of Jose Enrique is a stark reminder that in football, history often has a way of repeating itself.