Alexander Isak's transfer to Liverpool delayed by Newcastle for 'clever' reason

Liverpool have been given a theory as to why Newcastle United may have "delayed" finalising a deal for Alexander Isak. The Reds secured the Swedish international from the Magpies on transfer deadline day after months of rumours.

Isak joined Liverpool in a record-breaking £125million deal, making him the most expensive signing in both Anfield and British transfer history. Since his move to Merseyside, the striker has netted one goal, having been assigned an individual fitness programme following his departure from St James' Park.

Prior to his move to Liverpool, Isak was training separately from the Newcastle first-team squad and hadn't made a single appearance during pre-season or in the Premier League this term.

Consequently, the 26-year-old has been working on his fitness since joining the Reds and has started the last two top-flight matches.

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Former Newcastle star Jeff Hendrick, who spent four years at Tyneside before departing in the summer of 2024, has offered a theory as to why Isak's transfer to Liverpool wasn't finalised until the very end of the transfer window.

"If his situation was a year earlier, I would have crossed paths with him in the bomb squad," Hendrick revealed in a chat with Boyle Sports.

"Unfortunately, I didn't. I was probably more surprised by how long it drew out publicly, two months.

"Who knows, before they broke up for summer, there was talk of stuff being guaranteed behind closed doors. It must have been the case for him to push it that much.

"I think it was always going to happen, even a month out. It was inevitable, there couldn't be a U-turn. The fans weren't happy. Then it was more Newcastle dragging it out, waiting to line up the player they wanted.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there was a little bit of tactics involved: 'Let's send him to Liverpool not fit. He won't have had a proper pre-season. They're going to have to get him fit. They've got a backlog of games.'"

"Because if you look at it, he's obviously played a couple of games, but he's not an Alexander Isak of £120million. So it's probably clever from them."

Isak's next opportunity to play for Liverpool will be on October 19 when the reigning Premier League champions host Manchester United in the Premier League.

The game will see Isak and Co. look to end Liverpool's current run of three consecutive defeats, having not won a game since beating Southampton in the Carabao Cup last month.

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