Sweden boss makes Alexander Isak 'excuses' for Liverpool struggles - aims dig at Newcastle United

Former Newcastle United striker flop Jon Dahl Tomasson has jumped to the defence of frontman Alexander Isak as his Sweden charge continues to struggle with new club Liverpool.

And, in doing so, the Danish Sweden manager has also aimed a veiled dig at Newcastle United and their coaches for the situation the 25-year-old now finds himself in.

Alexander Isak’s Liverpool struggles

Isak has, so far, been an unmitigated disaster - in our eyes - at Anfield. Signed for a British record £125m, although Newcastle banked £130m, he has scored just one goal in his seven games to date, in a narrow Carabao Cup win over Championship Southampton, and even that was handed to him on a plate. Since then he’s drawn a blank, the latest of which came in the loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at the weekend.

While watching it, many a Newcastle fan will have thought ‘I’ve seen this performance 30 times before’ as he failed to hold the ball up, pressed with half a heart and did little to nothing for those around him. Sounds familiar, eh? And while we do think it’ll eventually click for the player, he looks a long way off it right now.

And Tomasson, himself an NUFC failure in the late 1990s, has offered his take. He thinks the Magpies shoulder some blame for the state Isak is in, but also backs the player to eventually get it right in red.

Sweden boss takes aim at NUFC

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.”

Alexander Isak excuses from Sweden boss Tomasson

"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."