word statement: 'Not everyone has the full picture'

Alexander Isak hits back at Newcastle's 37-word statement: 'Not everyone has the full picture'

Alexander Isak left Newcastle to join Liverpool in a £125million transfer on deadline day amid plenty of acrimony and tension, with his former club released a short statement

Alexander Isak has suggested that Newcastle painted an inaccurate picture of him during his bitter exit to Liverpool in the summer transfer window. Isak eventually got his way with a £125million move to Anfield, but only after a lengthy saga that burned his reputation with Newcastle.

The Sweden international went from a hero at St James’ Park to a villain over the summer as he fought for the transfer to Liverpool. He refused to train and play for Eddie Howe’s side and released a damaging statement which accused the club of breaking promises.

Newcastle released their own statement, denying the allegations while hinting that Isak’s unprofessionalism was the reason behind the conflict. After Liverpool stumped up the cash and ended the impasse, the club bid farewell with a blunt 37-word statement.

Isak completed his transfer on deadline day before jetting off to join the Sweden squad in the international break. He didn’t make it onto the pitch for their 2-2 with Slovenia on Friday night, but did come off the bench in their 2-0 defeat by Kosovo on Monday.

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Speaking to reporters afterwards, he was asked to reflect upon his tumultuous summer. “It’s great that things were cleared up before the squad and that I could focus on playing football again. It’s been a fairly new situation for me, but you always learn and develop mentally off the pitch too,” he said.

“It’s a bit like it is. It’s clear that not everyone has the whole picture, but that’s something for another day. Right now, the disappointment is about this match and how it went. But at the same time, I have a positive feeling about the club team part that is coming.

“That’s part of football. I can’t control everything that is said or written. But I’m glad I became a Liverpool player. That’s what I wanted and I’m happy about that.

“There is a lot to discuss, and it can be discussed for a long time. It has been educational, and I’m happy with the final result. I’m happy and proud to be a Liverpool player. I don’t want to go into details or talk about that situation too much. It is a closed chapter, but I have never had any problems.”

Isak is lacking match fitness after barely training and missing Newcastle’s pre-season tour over the summer. It means he is very unlikely to start Liverpool’s Premier League game against Burnley on the weekend.

“Yeah, of course, I think that’s the ambition,” he told the club website when asked if he could be available to face Burnley. “However, I’ve had a tricky summer where I haven’t played any games and I’ve had restricted training, so I think that’s one to judge and to analyse where I am at and how much I am ready to give. But I certainly want to play as soon as possible.”

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