Alexander Isak was greeted with a torrent of boos and foul-mouthed abuse upon his return to Newcastle, a year after his contentious switch to Liverpool. In what proved to be the most compelling saga of last summer's transfer window, the Swedish frontman sealed a £125million deadline day move to Anfield.
Transfer saga that shook Tyneside
While Eddie Howe had been confident that Isak would remain at St. James' Park for the 2025/26 season, the striker sent shockwaves through Tyneside by declaring his desire to seek opportunities elsewhere. What followed was over a month of turmoil, during which the 26-year-old snubbed Newcastle United's pre-season tour, opting instead to train with former club Real Sociedad.
On his return to Darsley Park, he was excluded from first-team training as he pushed for his desired move to Merseyside. That wish was ultimately granted on September 1, when Liverpool confirmed a British record fee for the centre-forward.
The devoted Toon Army faithful, who had worshipped Isak for nearly three years, swiftly turned on their former hero; social media erupted with insults, while others went as far as unfurling a banner outside Newcastle's ground reading 'Isak is a pure rat.'
Hostile welcome at the team hotel
On Saturday, Isak made his highly-anticipated return to the North East ahead of Sunday's showdown between Liverpool and Newcastle, where he was met, as widely predicted, by incensed supporters gathered outside the Reds' team hotel. Footage circulating online shows Isak calmly walking through the hotel entrance, shutting out a barrage of boos and abuse with his earphones in.
Newcastle supporters could be heard shouting the likes of "F*** off," and "W*****" in the clip, as their former hero strode past, expressionless and apparently unmoved by the hostility.
A comparable welcome awaits the striker when he steps out at St. James' on Sunday afternoon, with the two sides due to clash in an explosive Premier League curtain-raiser at 4.30pm.
Isak aims to silence the crowd
Isak will be eager to silence the bulk of the 52,719 supporters packed inside the stadium during the 90 minutes, anticipated to spearhead Andoni Iraola's attack with Hugo Ekitike still out following an Achilles tendon rupture earlier this year.
This follows a rollercoaster debut campaign on Merseyside for the centre-forward, largely disrupted by his own fitness struggles. Having missed pre-season due to his protracted transfer, Isak wasn't given the chance to make an immediate impact with the Reds, as then-manager Arne Slot cautiously monitored his condition.
Isak's season was further derailed in late December when he suffered a fractured leg during a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The injury sidelined Isak for a total of 106 days, with adductor problems and muscular issues forcing him to miss another two fixtures towards the campaign's conclusion.
Isak netted only three goals from 14 appearances in total, but will be aiming for a more consistent campaign in 2026/27, beginning with an awkward return to Newcastle.
