Alexander Isak has dismissed Alan Shearer's suggestion that he should have taken Liverpool's last-gasp penalty on his first return to Newcastle United, calling the demand 'irrelevant'.
Isak returned to St James' Park on the opening day of the season, his first visit since his British transfer-record £125m move from Newcastle to Liverpool in September 2025. The Sweden international was booed from the moment he stepped off the team bus until he re-boarded it after the 2-2 draw.
Newcastle appeared set for victory until Liverpool were awarded a stoppage-time penalty after Lewis Hall fouled Victor Munoz. Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up and converted into the top corner to earn the Reds a point.
Shearer's challenge
Speaking on The Rest of Football podcast, Newcastle legend Shearer said Isak should have taken the spot-kick to silence the home fans. "I was thinking: 'Go on, come and take the penalty! What have you got? Go and grab the ball and take the penalty Isak'," he said.
"I wanted him to go and take it. I was thinking: 'Come on, you've been absolutely battered. Lets see what you've got. Go and grab the ball and take the penalty'."
When those comments were put to Isak, currently on international duty with Sweden, he brushed them aside. "Szoboszlai was the penalty taker for that match," said the striker, who turned 27 on Monday, to Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen.
"It's a bit irrelevant (Shearer's verdict). Those are team matters, and it's not for the media or the supporters to decide who should take a penalty. I'm always hungry."
Form and fitness
Asked about the abuse he received from former admirers, Isak said: "It was special. I was prepared for the atmosphere, so it was a special match."
The Swede struggled in that game but has since scored four goals in four Premier League matches, one behind leading scorer Erling Haaland. He has already matched his goal contribution tally for the whole of last season, when injury hampered him.
Isak started five of six games for Sweden in the summer, including all four at the World Cup, where France eliminated them in the round of 32. Having made six starts this season and played 90 minutes three times, he is being primed for regular outings in Sweden's Nations League matches against Romania home and away, Poland at home, and Bosnia & Herzegovina away.
Liverpool cannot afford to lose Isak, their only senior fit centre-forward with Hugo Ekitike sidelined. He confirmed the Reds have not contacted Sweden boss Graham Potter about his minutes over the break.
"No, nothing," said Isak. "Graham is free to use me, but it's four matches in a short period, so we'll need to look at playing time for the sake of the team. If you play four lots of 90 minutes, maybe you don't give your best, but I feel good and there shouldn't be any problems."
