Newcastle United Slammed Over Alexander Isak ‘Mistakes’ Amid Liverpool Interest | OneFootball

Liverpool and the Alexander Isak Saga: Newcastle United’s Missteps Laid Bare

Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak has triggered a media frenzy, but beneath the headlines, the picture is clearer than many would admit. On Anfield Index’s Daily Red podcast (21 August), Dave Hendrick unpacked the saga with surgical precision, systematically dismantling the narrative being pushed by sections of the media and Newcastle United’s internal PR machine.

Newcastle’s Failed Narrative and Isak’s Position

“There is a concerted effort to paint Liverpool as the bad guy and to make Alexander Isak out to be a liar,” Hendrick stated firmly, cutting through the noise. The media storm, fuelled by the likes of Henry Winter and Luke Edwards, has sought to twist Isak’s intent, yet the evidence and timeline suggest a very different reality.

According to Hendrick, Isak had made his intentions clear well in advance: “Isak told Newcastle last summer that this season would be his last year with the club. He reiterated that multiple times during the season.” This, combined with internal leaks and reporting from Craig Hope and David Ornstein, paints a damning picture of Newcastle backtracking on previously accepted terms.

“They pushed out the not for sale, not for sale, not for sale line all season,” said Hendrick, referencing how Newcastle postured in public while quietly exploring alternatives to the Swedish striker. “They were buying Ekitike to play with Isak” was, in Hendrick’s words, “nonsense… it was never true.”

Systemic Mismatch and Tactical Illusions

Much of Newcastle’s media strategy relied on implying that Isak could play in a front two, a theory Hendrick vehemently rejected. “Eddie Howe is not moving to a 4-2-4… he’s sticking with the 4-3-3,” he argued. “Callum Wilson didn’t start with Isak. Wilson just sat on the bench when he was fit.”

He also dismissed talk of Yoan Wissa being brought in as a direct replacement for Wilson, labelling it “completely nonsensical”. For Hendrick, the evidence is overwhelming: Newcastle’s tactical setup and transfer strategy do not support their public narrative.

“They tried to sign João Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko to allow Isak to leave,” he added. “And if you believe they were planning to play two up front, you’ve not been paying attention.”

Liverpool’s Quiet Confidence and Strategic Patience

Liverpool, for their part, have remained publicly silent throughout. “We haven’t said a word in the press. Our journalists aren’t speaking,” Hendrick noted, referencing the conspicuous silence from the likes of James Pearce, Andy Hunter and Paul Joyce. The club’s discretion stands in stark contrast to Newcastle’s erratic media campaign.

Despite the emotional and sporting disruption, Liverpool continued moving efficiently. Hendrick dismissed the accusation that they hijacked Newcastle’s move for Ekitike, stating, “Fair play to the lad [Ekitike]. He turned them down for the third time.”

Isak’s Valuation, Contract and Future

One of the key contradictions in Newcastle’s stance lies in Isak’s valuation versus his pay. “Newcastle are the ones going around saying he’s a £150 million player,” said Hendrick. “If you can find me anywhere in the world a £150 million rated player currently earning £140,000 a week, I’d love to see that.”

For Hendrick, the club’s refusal to match Isak’s value with a corresponding contract speaks volumes. “They can’t afford to pay him what he’s worth. Which means they can’t actually afford to keep him.”

He concluded with a powerful summary of the player’s ambitions: “Isak knows he’s never winning a league title or a Champions League with Newcastle. He’s just seen evidence that Liverpool can win a league title — he saw it last season with his own eyes.”

Final Thoughts

Dave Hendrick’s detailed dissection on Anfield Index laid bare the contradictions and missteps at Newcastle United. His message was clear: Liverpool have acted with strategic intent, silence and professionalism, while Newcastle’s approach has been defined by public posturing and internal contradictions.

Far from being a hijack, Liverpool’s interest in Alexander Isak has been logical, well-documented and respectful. And if Isak does eventually make the move to Anfield, few will be surprised — least of all, Dave Hendrick.