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Alexander Isak is finding it difficult to settle at Liverpool due to the manner in which his British-record transfer was orchestrated, according to former Newcastle United legend Chris Waddle.
The ex-England winger believes the striker is "paying the consequences" of how his bitter departure to Anfield unfolded throughout the summer transfer window, culminating in his eventual switch on deadline day.
Following Liverpool's approach, Isak declined to join Newcastle's Far East tour in July, claiming injury, before returning to training at former club Real Sociedad's facilities. A public declaration posted on his Instagram account in August then criticised broken pledges regarding a departure from Tyneside, prompting manager Eddie Howe to exclude him from the first-team squad.
Liverpool ultimately secured a deal on September 1st after resuming talks with Newcastle following an initial rebuff at the beginning of August, and without the advantage of a pre-season programme with the Magpies, Isak has yet to flourish for the Premier League champions.
Isak found the net in last month's third-round Carabao Cup triumph over Southampton but sustained a groin problem in the 5-1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League last week, with Waddle attributing this to the disrupted summer period.
"Fans are critical, and there's a lot of criticism flying around because Alexander Isak is not performing," Waddle told BoyleSports. "You have to realize, he handled it all wrong at Newcastle. He said he wanted to leave, refused to train, and went to Real Sociedad to train basically on his own.
"He didn't play any friendlies, then went to Liverpool and suddenly he's in the Premier League which is a hard and physical league, mentally as well.
"He hasn't hit the ground running at all. He's probably two or three weeks behind most players. We know he's a talented footballer and he will probably come good. I'm not saying he won't, but he handled it all wrong and he's paying the consequences now for being behind.
"He hasn't done well with Sweden either. Sweden never qualify for the World Cup despite some of the players they have, and they are bottom of their group. It's just unbelievable."
Waddle, who enjoyed five seasons with Newcastle from 1980-85, continued: "But listen, the longer it goes without him scoring and playing well, his confidence will be sapped. We've seen this with Florian Wirtz, a young, very talented player who is unfortunately now on the bench.
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"So it's going to take Isak time to settle. He needs to start scoring goals, but he has to work on his fitness and sharpness. The only way he's going to get that is by playing games.
"But if he's not scoring the manager will be tempted to leave him on the bench and bring him on for half an hour, which he probably never anticipated would happen to him.
"So, yes, I think he's a bit of a concern, but he will come good because he's done it before."
Liverpool is back in action as they host Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.
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