The world of football transfers is often a whirlwind of excitement, but sometimes the aftermath can be just as dramatic as the deal itself.
This has certainly been the case with Alexander Isak’s British record-breaking move from Newcastle United to Liverpool.
The Swedish striker finally got his wish on deadline day, completing a £130 million transfer that made headlines around the world.
However, fans tuning in to watch Liverpool’s first match since his arrival were met with a surprise: Isak’s name was completely missing from the team sheet for the game against Burnley.
For many, this immediately raised questions. Why wasn’t the club’s new superstar, their most expensive player ever, not even on the bench? The reason, it turns out, is a direct consequence of the manner in which his transfer unfolded.
The path that led Isak to Liverpool was not a smooth one. Reports indicate that the Reds made an informal approach to the player just days after he had reported back to Newcastle for pre-season training. This initial contact seemingly set in motion a chain of events that ultimately became impossible to stop.
From that point, the situation at Newcastle began to unravel. Isak was notably absent from the team’s opening friendly match against Celtic. He then did not travel with the rest of the squad for their pre-season tour of Asia.
The most significant development came when the team returned to England. It was then that Alexander Isak made the decisive decision to go on strike.
He refused to train with his teammates and made it clear he would not play for the club again, a drastic measure aimed at forcing through a move to Merseyside.
This period of inactivity, which lasted for several weeks, has left him significantly short of the match fitness required to compete in the intense environment of the Premier League.
While he did link up with the Swedish national team during the recent international break, he was only able to play a total of twenty minutes across their two matches. His body is simply not ready for the rigors of a full ninety-minute contest.
Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, addressed Isak’s absence before the match with a thoughtful and long-term perspective.
He was full of praise for the Sweden manager, Jon Dahl Tomasson, for his careful handling of the player during the international window, recognizing the difficult balance between national team needs and a player’s fitness.
Slot then laid out a very clear plan for Isak’s integration, asking for patience from the club’s supporters. He emphasized that they have signed the player for a six-year contract, not just for the next two weeks.
The priority is to build him up gradually through careful minutes on the pitch, as throwing him into the deep end too quickly could risk a serious injury. This means fans should not expect to see him start or play full games for a little while.
Back on Tyneside, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe also spoke about the departure of his former star player.
He reflected fondly on their working relationship, stating that he loved coaching Isak and believed it was a partnership that benefited both parties immensely.
He credited Isak with helping the team achieve incredible milestones and acknowledged the role the club played in his development into a world-class striker.
However, Howe was also honest, revealing that the moment Isak decided to go on strike was a definitive turning point that irrevocably changed their relationship.
For now, Liverpool fans will have to wait a little longer to see their new number nine in action. His absence from the squad is not a tactical decision or a mystery; it is a carefully managed process to ensure that a player who hasn’t had a proper pre-season is nurtured back to full fitness.
The club is playing the long game, hoping that a patient approach will allow Alexander Isak to eventually hit the ground running and justify his enormous price tag for many seasons to come.
