16 hours ago
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Nicky Butt has declared that Alexander Isak's "disrespectful" conduct at Newcastle United ought to serve as a "red flag" for Liverpool.
The Swedish striker appears to have severed ties on Tyneside, with reports indicating he has declared he will never represent the Magpies again.
The 25-year-old, who only joined St James' Park in a £63 million ($85.5 million) transfer from Real Sociedad in 2022, has consistently remained evasive regarding his future, which could now lie at Liverpool given their pursuit of the striker.
Whilse the Reds witnessed an initial offer of $148 million plus add-ons promptly rejected by Newcastle, it is believed that last season's Premier League champions could shortly return with a renewed bid - but only should Newcastle's position alter.
The Magpies are unwilling to permit Isak's departure unless their £150M ($203.5M) valuation of the player is satisfied and they are capable of securing a replacement.
The situation in the north east has become acrimonious given Isak's recent rebellion, with the player training separately from the first team after failing to attend Eddie Howe's pre-season tour of Asia. And Butt, who represented the Magpies between 2004 and 2010, reckons that Isak's conduct ought to serve as a significant warning sign for Arne Slot and Liverpool.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football via BetMGM, the 50 year old said: "I've never met Isak in my life, he always looked like a really decent guy on the football pitch, but I think the way he's behaved has been really disrespectful to the football club and knowing what the fans are like up there, you know, I wish him all the best.
"It would be a red flag for me if I was a manager, but you don't know what's been said to the boy. You might have said the only way you're getting out is by going and kicking up a fuss, and if this is your dream to play for this football club, then you've got to go and maybe be out of character for a while.
"So you don't know what goes on, and I think there's a lot of games with agents in modern day football, and it's just sad. I mean, I'm sure if Isak went into the football club and said, 'I want to play for Liverpool or my boyhood club or whatever that might be, and I need to leave, I don't want to kick up a fuss, but I will do if you don't help me out here...'
"I think once someone says that to you, you better off letting them go. Just let them go and do what they want to do and get some good money for them. And shake their hand and wish them all the best, even though if you don't believe that. It's just a better way of doing things, and I just think he's been badly advised."
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