Liverpool's Alexander Isak fears come true as Newcastle United warning reality sinks in

Liverpool media and fan reaction to Alexander Isak's form will get little sympathy on Tyneside

Alexander Isak's unprofessionalism, it seems, has had an impact on two clubs. Not that you fancy the Swede will accept much accountability.

The striker's summer tantrum continues to have repercussions. You reap what you sow.

Liverpool are certainly finding that out. Isak's form has been non-existent since his British record transfer move from Newcastle United. Sympathy is in short supply on Tyneside after the pathetic and ridiculous way Isak and his agent went about his business, disrupting Newcastle's pre-season plans.

The impact is still being felt in the North East, with Eddie Howe and his coaching team given little time to pull together a fresh plan of attack. The forward line is stuttering despite the best efforts of Isak's replacement Nick Woltemade, a very different forward who is still adjusting to life in the Premier League while United try to adjust to his unique attributes.

On Merseyside, the grumbles about Isak's fitness and performances are growing after another ineffectual showing, touching the ball four times in half an hour as a substitute in the Champions League defeat against Galatasary on Tuesday night.

The Liverpool Echo gave the striker a five in their merit marks and said: "Barely involved and needs to get fit quickly. His lack of pre-season is really hampering things."

In his analysis piece, the Echo's Ian Doyle wrote: "That Liverpool became blunted when Alexander Isak emerged points to an issue of which Slot has long been fearful – the lack of time for the £125million man to build up an understanding with a team still adjusting to so many other new arrivals.

"Isak managed a shot with his first action, but had only three further touches during his 38 minutes on the pitch – Mohamed Salah, who came on at the same time, had 19.

"With doubts over [Hugo] Ekitike’s fitness, Isak must now assume the number nine responsibility for the foreseeable. And the Reds need to start working out how best to capitalise on his quality."

Another Echo writer, Paul Gorst, conceded that Isak looks 'way off' the pace. He said: "Isak, a second-half substitute, continues to look way off 100% after his pre-season was ruined by the nature of his British-record transfer from Newcastle United.

"It's unfair to criticise the £125m striker too heavily but Liverpool need to figure out how to get Isak up to speed sooner rather than later so he can contribute more meaningfully."

It must be said, however, that this was all of Isak's own doing. He can be criticised - it was him who ruined his pre-season by going on strike, refusing to play. No one else is responsible. He could have requested a transfer but still remained professional and a part of the Newcastle squad - instead he chose unprofessionalism and selfishness, and is paying the price.

It was a situation Newcastle staff warned about. They feared that his drop in fitness levels would mean he wouldn't be fully fit for the new campaign. They also feared that, given his injury record, that his workload would have to be carefully managed while his body re-tuned to the intense demands of top-level football.

Slot admitted as much, saying: "It takes a bit of time (for Isak)," he said. "He plays an hour, half an hour. Everyone who plays football knows the more you play together, the better it goes.

"If you then play every three days, you can't expect from Alexander or [Alexis] Mac Allister to be available for 90 minutes every three days. Alexander Isak didn't train in pre-season. Mac Allister missed a lot of pre-season."

Isak will come good once he gets up to full match fitness, of that there is little doubt. The Swede is one of the best strikers in Europe.

Until then, he must take responsibility for his own actions, however.

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