"Alexander Isak was still technically a Newcastle United player. But it did not feel like it as Eddie Howe's side prepared to take on suitors Liverpool at a fiery St James' Park back in August. This was a night when one Geordie turned up in a Newcastle replica shirt which, at first glance, looked like any other. From the front at least. However, on closer inspection, Isak's name and number had been painstakingly scratched off the back."
"Bridges had long been burnt after the Swede went on strike in an attempt to force through a move to Anfield as Liverpool supporters repeatedly urged Newcastle to "hand him over" during a dramatic 3-2 win. Isak went on to complete a British record 125m switch to Liverpool just a few days later. These sides now meet for the first time since the deal was finally struck."
""I'm not necessarily sure it brought us closer together," he admitted on the eve of his side's trip Merseyside. "I don't think it was that kind of moment, really. "It was a distraction if I'm honest while we were trying to glue the squad together for the season and trying to impose our culture and how we want to play. "It was the most talked thing in world football in that moment so, ideally, we would not have that every summer.""
Alexander Isak attempted to force a move from Newcastle to Liverpool during the summer, prompting fan outrage and visible resentment at St James' Park. The Sweden international completed a British-record £125m transfer to Liverpool days later. Newcastle lost their top scorer, who had 27 goals the previous season, and had to adapt tactics and personnel to compensate. Eddie Howe described the episode as a distraction that hindered efforts to build squad cohesion and impose club culture. Isak remains absent due to a broken leg. The transfer and injury have significantly affected both clubs' preparations and matchups.
Read at www.bbc.com
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