Alexander Isak has not spoken to Eddie Howe since leaving Newcastle for Liverpool. The Swede, 26, dramatically went on strike in order to force a £130million summer transfer to Anfield. Howe, 47, admitted last month that his relationship with Isak “changed” after the striker refused to train. Isak forced his way out of Newcastle during the summer. The Liverpool new-boy spoke to the press this week while on international duty. Quizzed about his controversial St. James’ Park exit, Isak said: “It’s nothing I want to dwell on now. It doesn’t benefit anyone, neither me nor Newcastle so let it be.” Isak bluntly replied: “No” when asked if he has spoken to Howe or cleared the air with his former boss since the move.
Isak has made a relatively slow start to life at Liverpool, failing to score in three Premier League outings and losing two of them, while also drawing blanks in two Champions League games. The 6ft 4in forward did manage to net his first Reds goal in the 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Championship Southampton. Isak scored 62 goals in 109 appearances across three years at Newcastle. Unless the two sides draw each other in the FA Cup, Howe and Isak will not reunite until Newcastle travel to Anfield on January 31. Replacing the former Real Sociedad and Borussia Dortmund ace, Newcastle brought in Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa. Woltemade has quickly cemented himself as a fan favourite but Wissa, who himself went on strike to leave Brentford, is yet to play due to injury.
The relationship between Isak and Howe took a turn for the worse after the striker’s refusal to train. Isak’s move to Liverpool has not been without its challenges, with the forward yet to find his scoring form in the Premier League. Despite the slow start, Isak managed to score his first goal for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup. The upcoming clash between Newcastle and Liverpool on January 31 will be the first time Howe and Isak come face to face since the striker’s departure. Newcastle brought in new players to fill the void left by Isak, with Woltemade impressing fans while Wissa is sidelined with an injury.
