When asked by reporters about his future at St James' Park, Tonali admitted he didn't want to say he'd stay at the club before then potentially changing his mind and leaving in a similar manner to Isak. I'm happy, not just for one more year here, but I'm happy for the people, for the fans, for every player, every member of the staff here in Newcastle. Every day I work to win every game. I work for every person in Newcastle, Tonali said. He added:
Today's team captain. Ran on many balls, the piece read. Had a shot in the post that was worth a better fate. Then won a duel and then came free at the end of the first act. However, did not succeed very often with his actions. Isak is undoubtedly capable of much better than this, and a poor rating for his form for his country surely won't be great for his confidence.
Alexander Isak signed for Liverpool in a British record transfer deal (Image credit: Getty Images) Long-running summer transfer sagas are nothing new in the world of football. In fact, it's very rare that a big-name player at the height of their powers will move clubs without a great deal of back-and-forth that is usually only resolved by the payment of an eye-watering fee amid buckets of acrimony from fans of the selling club.
The issue of Alexander Isak's future was never far away from the headlines this summer, with the transfer saga between Newcastle United and Liverpool running right until the final minutes of the transfer window. The Reds eventually got their man, sealing a 125million move for the Swedish striker, but not until he had effectively gone on strike at St James' Park, training alone at his former club Real Sociedad, before accusing the club of breaking a promise that he could leave the club.
They could have got Alexander Isak this summer for 120m, and they got Benjamin Sesko instead. Sir Alex Ferguson would have always gone out and broken the bank to get that leader, to get that top player, so that everybody looks at him as soon as he pulls that shirt on and goes, wow, what a player. I want to play like him. I want to be like him.
UEFA Champions League openers don't come much bigger than mega club Liverpool pitted against Spain's powerhouse outfit, Atletico Madrid. The reigning English Premier League champions, who have started their new domestic campaign with a perfect 4-0 record, will be looking to avenge their disappointing round-of-16 exit from last season's Champions League, where they lost a heartbreaking penalty shootout to eventual title-winners PSG.
