Michael Owen has backed Alexander Isak to cope with the hostile reception he will receive at St James' Park this afternoon - but warned the Liverpool star he has a big season ahead of him. Isak returns to Tyneside for the first time since his controversial British record transfer last year from Newcastle United to the Reds.
The forward became a hero-turned-traitor in the eyes of Newcastle supporters after he downed tools - refusing to train or play - to force through a £125m move to Anfield. However, Isak's first campaign as a Liverpool player was marred by injury - including a broken leg - as he scored just four times in 22 appearances in all competitions.
Owen: 'He's not the first and he won't be the last'
While Owen has no concerns about Isak coping with the expected frosty reception this afternoon, he believes Liverpool need a big season from the forward.
“I am sure he will cope (with the hostile reception) because he's not the first and he won't be the last to go back to his former club; that is just what happens in football,” he told the ECHO.
“You are not a fan really, once you play the game professionally, then things like this occur because it is not like a fan, where you support a team when you are three years old and then you never change in your whole life, and I would be exactly the same if I wasn't a footballer.
“It will be tough (for him), and I didn't particularly like going back to my old clubs. People like cuddling and kissing, seeing the old members of staff and all the rest of it.
“I didn't like going back to my old clubs to play. I just felt my heart was still, let's just say, at Liverpool, and having to play against them was not the nicest thing for me, but you have to be professional, and you have got to do it.
“But Isak has a big year ahead of him, and it is going to start in a cauldron, but he's got a big year because Liverpool obviously need him.”
Owen optimistic about Liverpool's season
Owen, who was speaking to the ECHO at the launch of his new docuseries 'Meet the Owens' on Amazon Prime Video, also believes that although questions remain about the Reds, they should be optimistic heading into the new campaign.
“I am confident they will get Champions League qualification, absolutely,” he said. “The team is very good and the manager is very good.
“I just hope it all clicks because if it does, then it is an exciting season ahead, but there are a lot of questions at the moment: new manager, new players, etc.
“It will all be revealed in the coming months, but I think we all go into the season with a lot of optimism.”
Owen might have played for the Reds and Newcastle during his career, but when asked if he has split loyalties, he revealed: “Not really, as I grew up in the Liverpool academy, so that is the team that pulls on my heartstrings and the team that I have always supported.”
All six episodes of Meet the Owens will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video from August 28.
