Alexander Isak transfer truth slowly emerging as Liverpool well aware of Newcastle weapon

Alexander Isak transfer truth slowly emerging as Liverpool well aware of Newcastle weapon

This week's Blood Red column looks ahead to Liverpool's trip to Newcastle United on Monday - a fixture that will have Alexander Isak's long-term future hanging over it

Alexander Isak celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park last season (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Anyone with a passing interest in Liverpool FC and a 'For You' tab on X this week will be forgiven for thinking Arne Slot and his players have a one-way trip booked to the Lions' Den on Monday night.

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The fanbase of the Magpies are seemingly so outraged by the Premier League champions' pursuit of Alexander Isak, that the first home game of the new season will be more akin to Maximus and his mates being sent out to battle the King of the Jungle, if social media is to be believed.

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Taking the temperature of an entire club's support via the medium of sites like X - formerly Twitter - is always a dangerous and foolhardy pursuit, but there can be little denying that the emotions and, as a result, the atmosphere will be a little more charged than usual given the Isak antics this week.

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The Sweden international's genuine bombshell, which arrived via his Instagram account on Tuesday night, was exquisitely timed for those who like their transfer sagas to have a little dramatic flourish or two along the way.

The PFA's theoretical 24/25 Team of the Year had barely shuffled off stage left at the Manchester Opera House, sans-Isak, when the man himself, who was conspicuous only by his absence, caused a ripple effect with his explosive online outburst.

"I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken," he wrote. "That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.

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"The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading. When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue."

Later that same night, Newcastle, understood to have been blindsided by the statement, hurried out their own riposte, essentially telling their No.14 that he would be going nowhere.

"As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired," they wrote.

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"We do not foresee those conditions being met."

Liverpool, like everyone else on Planet Football this week, have sat back and watched it all unfold. But while neutrals might have reached for the popcorn as an increasingly ugly saga has plummeted to new depths, the champions themselves have a vested interest, even if Arne Slot was trying his best to play that down in his Thursday press conference.

"Me and Alex had conversations, yes I'm not going to deny that," Howe admitted when asked if Isak had indeed spoken about his wish for pastures new on Friday.

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"Individual conversations are better off remaining private. Yes, we had conversations about his future."

That admission is a jarring contrast to the official party line that no talks or indeed promises had been made to the 25-year-old, who scored 23 Premier League goals last term while also firing the Magpies to their first domestic trophy in 70 years in the Carabao Cup.

Whatever happens next is unlikely to develop until after Monday night's game, however, even if the furore and the noise will be ratcheted up ten fold in the next day or two.

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That din is something Newcastle are looking to weaponise, in fact, as they go about landing a decisive blow on the team who covet their star man more than any other just now.

If Isak had been told he would be allowed to leave after a superlative campaign in the North East, then perhaps he is not the disruptive enemy of the public he has been painted as. "There is always two sides to every story," as Howe conceded himself on Friday.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have been criticised in some quarters for 'only' offering £110m at the beginning of the month before backing off and awaiting further encouragement. The idea that was in any way a derisory, slap in the face is simply grotesque.

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"The first home game is always going to be electric," Howe added. "I love experiencing those nights with the energy that the crowd brings us and I have no doubt that this will be a really passionate display from the home support.

"We need to harness that and use it but not be reckless with it, we need to concentrate on the game and not get too emotional."

Howe, whose statesmanlike handling of the Isak saga throughout the summer has been first class, is right to call for restraint, if the social media characterisation of Joelinton as a Vinnie Jones reincarnate is anything to go by this week, but the black-and-white-hot atmosphere created on the night itself will be an early test of Liverpool's title credentials.

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Unbeaten at St James' Park for 10 years, a display brimming with championship composure will go a long way towards silencing the Gallowgate and emerging with crucial points intact.

And then, before September 1, maybe even Isak is taken from Tyneside too.

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