Newcastle star’s bitter exit for Liverpool after explosive public rant and contract U-turn

Alexander Isak appears to be closing in on his dream move to Liverpool, but his transfer saga is reminiscent of another player who controversially swapped St James’ Park for Anfield

As the Alexander Isak transfer saga continues to drag on, Newcastle United supporters could be excused for experiencing a feeling of déjà vu. Isak has been desperately trying to engineer a move away from the north east over the past month, with Liverpool understood to be leading the race to land him.

The Swedish striker was the target of a £110million approach from the Reds at the start of August, which was swiftly rejected. Ever since, Isak has made it clear that he doesn’t see his future at St James’ Park, training separately from the team and being absent for Eddie Howe’s side’s opening three fixtures of the campaign.

The 25-year-old, who netted 27 times last term, including the winner in the Carabao Cup final triumph against Liverpool, recently issued a scathing statement claiming the club had “broken promises”. And despite the Newcastle ownership reportedly offering him a lucrative new contract in an attempt to persuade him to stay ahead of last Monday’s home loss to Liverpool, Isak is determined to depart.

READ MORE: Alexander Isak to Liverpool: New transfer bombshell opens door for moveREAD MORE: Alexander Isak’s training ground goodbye claims as Newcastle issue response

Swedish media reports suggested this week that Isak had already bid farewell to his Magpies colleagues, something Eddie Howe has since refuted. There have been suggestions that Liverpool are preparing to launch a £130million improved offer for Isak before Monday evening’s transfer deadline. But Fabrizio Romano says a deal hasn’t been agreed, despite Liverpool’s “optimism” over reaching a resolution.

The sudden nature of Isak’s heavy-handed approach to seeking a move elsewhere has not gone down well with the St James’ Park faithful. Chants labelling him greedy, the burning of jerseys and even fans confronting him in the streets have been clear signs of the disappointment felt by Newcastle supporters towards their star player.

The situation bears striking similarities to the controversial departure of another former fan favourite, Jose Enrique, back in August 2011, when he joined the Anfield side for around £6m.

Spaniard Enrique had evolved into one of England’s top left-backs during his previous two seasons at Newcastle and had become a cult hero after helping them win the Championship in 2009/10.

However, much like with Isak, an unsavoury transfer saga followed. By the summer of 2011, Enrique had grown disillusioned with the club’s lack of ambition under Mike Ashley’s ownership. Chris Hughton had been sacked, star striker Andy Carroll was sold in January 2011 (to Liverpool) and captain Kevin Nolan was shipped off to West Ham six months later.

Those frustrations reached a boiling point at the team’s hotel in Florida in July 2011 when Enrique took to social media to hit out at the club’s direction. He had wanted to sign a six-year contract extension, but, contrary to what fans believed was the main reason for him pushing to leave, the defender was not interested in a pay rise – he wanted to win trophies and play in Europe, which seemed increasingly unlikely.

In Isak’s case, though Newcastle are now in the Champions League like Liverpool, there remains a clear gulf between the clubs, with Arne Slot’s men comfortably winning the Premier League last season and boasting European pedigree.

And in a tweet echoing Isak’s own bombshell statement, Enrique posted: “The club is allowing all the major players of the team to go. Seriously, do you think it is the fault of the players? This club will never again fight to be among the top six with this policy… I think you fans are the best and you deserve the best, not what they are doing with the club.”

That did not go down well, leading to a bitter parting of ways. Upon his return to St James’ Park eight months later during Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat, Newcastle fans made it clear that they felt betrayed and directed chants at him.

“It’s good for me to address the tweet,” Enrique admitted to The Athletic in 2020. “It was a mistake. You have to remember I was only 25, still a kid when it comes to being a footballer. But I also said it because I was really angry; I was so mad. The club was selling our best players and I felt they were breaking up a team that could have done special things.

“I had the chance to go to a club who wanted to better themselves. My heart told me to stay but, in my head, I felt Newcastle United did not share the same ambition.

“Leaving wasn’t about money. It was about the fact Liverpool were ambitious. They had that vision. Newcastle seemed more interested in selling their best players than trying to do well on the pitch. I wanted to win things and did, with the League Cup at Liverpool.

“I loved Newcastle, I loved the fans and I was settled there. It was actually my brother, Salva, who helped convince me to go to Liverpool. I told him: ‘I am happy at Newcastle. I have been here four years and, if I sign a six-year deal, it will be 10. Maybe I can stay even longer and become a legend here.’

“But he said, ‘Jose, when a team like Liverpool come for you, a team who want to win trophies, you have to go.’ And it’s true. A football career is short. I couldn’t stay and watch fans who I loved have to settle for what was happening.”

Ironically, Liverpool could only secure eighth place that season, whilst Newcastle overachieved by managing a fifth-place finish.

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