I caused huge drama at Newcastle before getting my Liverpool move - I had to do it

As the drawn-out Alexander Isak transfer saga rages on, Newcastle United supporters might be feeling a sense of déjà vu. Over the past month, Isak has been pushing to leave the north east, with Liverpool reportedly leading the race for his signature.

The Swedish forward was the target of a £110 million ($146M) offer from the Reds at the start of August, which was promptly rejected. Since then, Isak has made it clear that he doesn't see his future on Tyneside, training alone and sitting out the first three matches of the season for Eddie Howe's team.

The 25-year-old, who netted 27 goals last season, including the decisive goal in the Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool, recently issued a scathing statement claiming the club had "broken promises". Despite Newcastle's owners reportedly offering him a lucrative new contract in an attempt to keep him at the club ahead of last Monday's home loss to Liverpool, Isak made it clear he has no plans to stay.

Reports from Sweden this week claimed Isak had already bid farewell to his Magpies team-mates, which was later denied by Eddie Howe. There is also a belief that Liverpool are gearing up to submit a record £130M ($176M) improved bid for Isak before Monday evening's transfer deadline. However, Fabrizio Romano says a deal hasn't been agreed, despite Liverpool's "optimism" about reaching an agreement.

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 labeling 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 resemblance to another former favorite, Jose Enrique, who left under controversial circumstances back in August 2011, joining 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 unsavory 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 fired, star striker Andy Carroll was sold in January 2011 (to Liverpool) and captain Kevin Nolan was sold to West Ham six months later.

Those frustrations came to a head at the team's hotel in Florida in July 2011 when Enrique took to social media to criticize 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 his push to leave, the defender was not interested in a pay rise - he wanted to lift trophies and play in Europe, which seemed increasingly unlikely.

In Isak's situation, whilst Newcastle have secured Champions League qualification like Liverpool, a considerable gap still exists between the two clubs, with Arne Slot's side dominating the Premier League last term and boasting European pedigree.

In a social media post that echoed Isak's own recent explosive statement, Enrique wrote at the time: “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 an acrimonious departure. Newcastle supporters felt betrayed and targeted him with hostile chants when he returned to St James' Park eight months later during Liverpool's 2-0 defeat.

“It’s good for me to address the tweet,” Enrique said 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.”

Despite securing his switch, Liverpool ended that season in eighth place while Newcastle achieved an impressive fifth-place finish.