Newcastle United sold Alexander Isak for a British record fee to Liverpool in the summer - and the Swede has struggled since.

Look, let’s be honest about this, we’re all enjoying Alexander Isak struggling, right?

Well, here at NewcastleWorld we certainly are. In fact, we’re loving it.

Watching the sulky Swede drop 4/10 performances week-in, week-out is food for the soul after what he did in the summer. Long may it continue.

Now, as well as Isak haters, we’re also realists, and we understand this patch ain’t gonna last forever. Soon enough, Isak is going to hit his straps, the goals will flow and times will be good again (for him). But we need to make hay while the sun is shining - and Arne Slot is admitting right here that sun is hot as hell.

Alexander Isak x Mo Salah - Arne Slot admits it’s not working for Liverpool

In his final press conference before the international break, Slot said the relationship between Mo Salah and Isak was not working yet - but hopes in time it will click.

He said: “You have to work really hard to reach a certain level and then it’s very hard in football because you also play against very good teams to keep that level going. What I mean by that is consistency. But it’s clear that we had our changes in the summer. Players came in different moments.

“Last week there’s hardly been any training time. Still we need to try to bring these players in. If the result would have been better today with a draw or a win then we would have had a great start to the season if you take into account everything that happened in the summer in Liverpool.”

Alexander Isak has ‘done well’ claims Sweden boss Tomasson

He said: “One thing I know is that he looks better than a month ago, which is normal. He also made an excellent assist this weekend [against Chelsea].

“I don't know if it's a long way [until he is back to his best], but we're getting closer, as you need six weeks in a pre-season. First you play 45 minutes, then 60 minutes, 75 minutes and 90 minutes.

"Then you need another three weeks to be at your best. That's normal.

"Whether it will be 90 minutes also depends on the matches, so I can't give a good answer about that. We need to look at the players individually and we get data from the clubs regarding what the players can do physically and whether they can play 90 minutes or not twice.

"He has his own pre-season and plays competitive games. It's a tough way to get fit, but they've handled it well.

"I think he has done very well. When you come to a new club it is normal that it can take time to interact with the new teammates.

"He is doing his pre-season with competitive matches and I think he and Liverpool have handled it very well. If you look at the way he plays, the way he moves is top class - I still think he is very good."