‘This is life’ - Liverpool boss hits out at Newcastle United criticism of Alexander Isak
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been speaking for the first time since Alexander Isak joined the club.
Arne Slot has defended Alexander Isak for the criticism he received following his Newcastle United exit.
A summer-long transfer saga saw the Swede finally get his Anfield move for a British record £130million on deadline day. Isak - once worshipped on the St James' Park terraces - burned his bridges at Newcastle after downing tools.
The 25-year-old bailed on the club’s pre-season tour, went AWOL to former club Real Sociedad and refused to play in the opening three Premier League fixtures. This has resulted in supporters and pundits - and not just those of a Newcastle persuasion - condemning Isak’s actions.
Arne Slot defends Alexander Isak
Speaking ahead of their trip to Burnley, Slot hit out at the critics who cheered for Isak following the Carabao Cup final. He told reporters: "In football, there is always criticism, sometimes people cheer for you. I think when he won the League Cup everyone was really happy with him and in other moments you get criticised.
“This is part of his life, my life, our jobs. Now he is a player for us and I am really happy with that. A lot of things happened on the last day (of the transfer window), which is not always the situation because last season we hardly did anything during the whole window.
“The thing that pleased me most is us getting the deal for Alex over the line. I am really happy Alex signed for us because I did feel all the way we needed an attacking player extra and so happy we could bring in the one we wanted.
"(Liverpool sporting director) Richard (Hughes), the ownership, everyone worked so hard to get the deal done, so it is very good for the club, for the fans, the players, for me that all the work they put in resulted in Alex signing for us."
‘I haven’t spoken to him’ - Arne Slot
Slot also admitted his contact with Isak has been minimal due to the recent international break. He added: "Maybe people don’t believe me but I haven’t spoken to him that much. I spoke to him after he signed on the phone as he had to go to the national team and 99 per cent of the time I leave players when they go to the national team so I texted him once or twice.
"I do have to get to know him better in the next few weeks. We mainly sign a player also for his qualities. I faced him a few times (against Newcastle) and know what a quality player he is."
Eddie Howe on Alexander Isak
Eddie Howe admitted his relationship with Isak soured once he refused to play. He told reporters this morning: “Alex and I always enjoyed a great relationship. I loved working with him and I hope he loved working with us. It was mutually beneficial.
“We helped him become the player that he in part is today. And he helped us as a team achieve some unbelievable milestones. He was part of a very successful team.
“But to give you a bit more on that, the moment he went on strike our relationship did change. I think that was probably a turning point in our relationship. Communication became difficult from that point onwards. I won’t go into any more detail than that.”