Alexander Isak’s move away from Newcastle United continues to stir strong emotions among fans and pundits, especially after his latest setback during Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester City.
The Swedish forward, once hailed as Newcastle’s talismanic striker, has found himself under the microscope following a difficult spell marked by recurring injuries and questions about his fitness.
Liverpool, who reached the final of this competition in each of the last two seasons, were comfortably beaten by Pep Guardiola’s City side, with goals from Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez, and Jeremy Doku sealing a 3-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium.
Isak, who recently completed a high-profile move to Liverpool on deadline day, was named on the bench but failed to make an appearance. His absence did not go unnoticed, especially given Liverpool’s struggle to find a cutting edge during the match.
The striker’s situation is complicated by a lingering groin injury that has plagued him since his final months at Newcastle. Having missed pre-season entirely and the opening games of the Premier League campaign, Isak is still far from full fitness.
He had been sidelined for four consecutive games before returning to the bench against Manchester City, but manager Arne Slot opted against using him, a decision that drew sharp criticism from sections of the media.
talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook didn’t hold back when he questioned both the player’s condition and the manager’s decision. “I find it bizarre,” he said.
“This is the most expensive player in the history of English football. Surely he can’t be so unfit. I know he’s coming back from injury, but Liverpool were chasing the game from the very first minute.
How can a professional athlete in 2025 be so out of shape that his manager doesn’t trust him to come on in such an important match?”
Crook’s comments reflect the growing frustration among fans who had high expectations when Liverpool secured Isak’s services. The £100 million transfer was meant to boost their attacking depth, but so far, it has only highlighted the challenges of adapting to a new environment while battling persistent fitness issues.
Adding insult to injury, Manchester City fans were quick to remind Isak of his former club. While he warmed up on the touchline, sections of the home support were heard chanting, “You should have stayed at Newcastle.”
The chant, captured in a viral TikTok video posted by user Cal_Cutter_Chats, spread quickly online, reigniting debate about whether the forward made the right decision to leave Tyneside.
From Newcastle’s perspective, the sale was bittersweet. Isak’s departure ended what many believed could have been a prolific partnership with Alexander Gordon up front.
The Magpies moved swiftly to sign Nick Woltemade as his long-term replacement, while also bringing in Yoane Wissa from Brentford in a £55 million deal intended to fill the immediate gap. Unfortunately, Wissa’s impact has been delayed due to a knee injury suffered just days after signing, leaving Newcastle short on attacking options.
The result has been a worrying start to the season for Eddie Howe’s side. Despite flashes of their old resilience, Newcastle have struggled to convert chances, scoring far fewer goals than expected and currently sitting just two points above the relegation zone.
The transition has been rough, and while Woltemade shows promise, the team has clearly missed Isak’s composure and precision in front of goal.
For Isak himself, the move to Liverpool was meant to be a fresh chapter a chance to compete for major honours and elevate his career under the bright lights of Anfield. Yet his inability to maintain fitness has cast a shadow over that ambition.
The hope is that with careful management and recovery, he can rediscover the sharpness and confidence that once made him one of the Premier League’s most exciting forwards.
Still, the criticism he faces is unlikely to fade until he proves his worth on the pitch. Liverpool fans are growing impatient, and even neutrals are beginning to question whether his record-breaking transfer was the right decision for either side.
If Isak is to silence his doubters, he will need to find his rhythm quickly and remind the league why Newcastle once built their entire attack around him.
For now, the story remains one of frustration a talented player caught between expectation and reality, battling to regain form and fitness in one of football’s most demanding environments.
Both Liverpool and Newcastle are feeling the consequences of his move, and until he delivers, chants of “You should have stayed at Newcastle” may continue to echo wherever he goes.
