Supporters will love this - Cult hero defends Newcastle United with brutal Liverpool truth
Jonas Gutierrez has leaped to Newcastle United’s defence following the Alexander Isak saga.
Jonas Gutierrez has insisted Newcastle United are “bigger than any player” while slamming Alexander Isak’s recent conduct.
It is common knowledge in world football that Isak has burned his bridges with Toon supporters. The Swede downed tools at St James’ Park over the summer to force a Liverpool move.
Isak - previously worshipped by Newcastle fans - is now public enemy No.1 on Tyneside. Luckily for the 26-year-old, Liverpool have already visited the Magpies, with the reverse fixture set to take place on January 31.
Jonas Gutierrez speaks out
Speaking to NBC Sports, Toon cult hero Gutierrez stuck up for Newcastle, highlighting how the club will always be bigger than Isak. He said: “Eddie Howe is doing an amazing job for the club. When you have a player who does not want to be in the place, the best thing is to let him go. I’ve been in Newcastle. I wanted to be there. I enjoyed the city and the fans.
“But you can have some players who don’t want to. It’s the decision of a player. I’m not going to have the same reaction as he had (if I wanted to leave), because it’s not good for the fans or the city. But it’s his decision and I give him the best of luck for the future. But Newcastle is bigger than any player.”
Eddie Howe makes Alexander Isak admission
When grilled by the press earlier this month, Eddie Howe admitted Isak going on strike was the “turning point” of their relationship. He told reporters: "Alex and I always enjoyed a great relationship," he said. "I loved working with him. I hope he enjoyed working with us.
"It was mutually beneficial. We helped him become the player he in part is today and he helped us as a team achieve some unbelievable milestones and was part of a very successful team. The moment he went on strike our relationship did change and that was probably a turning point in our relationship."
‘Incredible’ - Alexander Isak
Isak has now given his first interview since leaving Newcastle which was not conducted by Liverpool’s official media channel. He told ITV last night: “Incredible. It was great to be back on the pitch and score my first goal here at Anfield. And to win as well. So, it’s a good evening.
“I should have scored from that early chance too, but that’s part of being a striker, you miss a few chances and then you score. I think the most important thing is to move on and be ready for the next opportunity.
“I just try to play my game and not think too much. I feel confident that it will come, and that when I get my chances, I’ll take them - that’s my mindset. I’m happy that today I converted one of them.
“I feel good. I think every match I play really helps and gets me into better shape. I’m just becoming more and more ready. How close am I to 100 per cent fitness? Hard to say. I think it’s a mix of physical and match fitness. I feel good, I feel ready to at least make an impact on the pitch.”