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Jamie Carragher believes that Newcastle's board should choose Eddie Howe over Alexander Isak should the decision ever arise in the future.
So far, Liverpool has made just one bid for Isak. While not insulting, the offer — reportedly around $149 million (£110 million), close to a British record — always seemed more like an opening gambit than a final offer.
The next logical step would be a second, improved bid. Up to now, Liverpool has respected Newcastle’s firm rejection of the initial approach, but with the September 1 deadline approaching, the club may feel compelled to test the Magpies’ resolve with a stronger proposal.
Meanwhile, Isak has done little to hide his desire for a move. He has refused to play and issued a public statement effectively calling for a transfer, making it clear he wants to leave.
Speaking on 'Monday Night Football' following Liverpool's 3-2 win against Newcastle, the former Reds defender believes Howe is more vital to the club than the Swedish forward. "The manager is more important than Isak," said Carragher.
"He is a special, special manager, and I'm not just talking about Newcastle, I'm talking about in the Premier League.
"The job he has done there from where they were to way they are now. I'm not saying they're going to lose the manager, but if you are talking about player or manager going, he is much more important than Isak."
Carragher also warned that Isak’s off-pitch actions could disrupt Newcastle’s season if the saga drags on beyond the summer transfer window.
He drew a comparison to Fernando Torres’ desire to leave Liverpool in the 2010/11 season, which ultimately saw the $67million striker move to Chelsea the following January.
Offering his thoughts on the situation, Carragher added: "I can't believe that for Liverpool it is just Isak or no one, but it does feel like that the closer we get to the end of the window.
"Thierry Henry said that Isak is a must for Liverpool. I have never been of that opinion - [I am] one of the few Liverpool fans who is all in on Isak, and we have to spend this money.
"But they don't have the problem of Isak every day. They don't have the problem that Eddie Howe has of going to every press conference and being asked about it. It is a cloud over the club constantly.
"I have experience of it. We had this with Fernando Torres at Liverpool, where he did not really want to be at the club.
"He ended up staying and we sold him in the January. Those four or five months were a nightmare for the club, and everyone could not wait for him to move on."
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