'Outstanding' Newcastle United star has been carrying 'frustrating' injury ahead of Liverpool clash

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe believes the best is yet to come from Alexander Isak following a frustrating period with injury.

The Magpies' club record signing, who joined from Real Sociedad for £60million in the summer of 2022, scored seven goals in his opening 12 matches at the start of the current season before picking up a groin issue.

It forced the Swede to miss five matches but Howe wasted no time in recalling him to the starting XI with fellow striker Callum Wilson also picking up an injury.

Upon his return, Isak started five games in 15 days - and found the net in the 3-0 win over Chelsea and the controversial 1-1 draw away to Paris Saint-Germain.

But as a result of being thrust back into action, the 24-year-old was left feeling the ill effects and was subsequently left out of the squad against the win over Fulham and the Carabao Cup exit to Chelsea.

Isak made his return as a substitute in the 1-0 loss to Luton Town last Saturday before starting and scoring the opener from the penalty spot in the 3-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.

Ahead of the trip to Liverpool on New Year's Day, Howe reckons Isak looks back to his physical best.

“Yes, I think there is," said Howe when asked if there's more to come from the striker.

"He's got so much within himself that he can help us with. He's an outstanding technician, an outstanding athlete as well, and he knows where the goal is. He can score goals.

“It's been a frustrating few weeks for Alex because he's wanted to deliver physically so much more than he's been able to. He's been carrying a slight groin problem.

“He looks back to his physical best – I was pleased with him against Nottingham Forest, I thought he did really well. He could have scored probably two or three more goals on a different day. But he's a real threat."

Isak made his Newcastle debut away to Liverpool last season and immediately announced himself on the Premier League stage after opening the scoring at Anfield.

He was denied a second via the offside flag before Roberto Firmino and an injury-time winner by Fabio Carvalho flipped the result on its head.