‘Incredible’ - Alexander Isak gives first interview since ditching Newcastle United for Liverpool
Newcastle United supporters have been “hate-watching” Alexander Isak in a Liverpool shirt.
Alexander Isak insisted it felt “incredible” to score his first Liverpool goal after leaving Newcastle United.
Southampton gifted the Swede his first opportunity to get on the score sheet when Federico Chiesa intercepted Alex McCarthy’s back pass inside the area. He nudged the ball to Isak for an easy tap-in just moments before Adam Armstrong rattled the crossbar up the other end.
Newcastle fans could be forgiven for “hate-watching” Isak’s first three games at his new club. The 26-year-old downed tools all summer, refusing to train or play for the Magpies until he forced through a move.
Eddie Howe makes Alexander Isak admission
Speaking 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.”
Arne Slot sarcasm
Liverpool boss Arne Slot sarcastically acknowledged the added pressure of Isak needing to score due to the £130million fee. He said post-match: “He’s the British record signing - and there’s hardly anyone talks about this so maybe it’s smart for me to talk about this!
“So there will be pressure on if he takes a while to score a goal because he’s the record British signing. No-one says this, so I repeat it! I think the best moment to start to see where he is and how much he can help us.
“You can already see that he can help us but the best (will be) when he comes back from the Swedish national team. When he has stayed fit, played there many minutes, plays for us in the upcoming weeks a few minutes. After that, his (unofficial) pre-season has ended and we can expect even more from him. But until now, I’m very happy with what I’ve seen from him.”