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Wayne Rooney has questioned whether Liverpool will still want to sign Alexander Isak, given the Newcastle striker’s recent behavior.
The Swedish international continues to be heavily linked with a move to Anfield, and looks to be trying to force his way out of St James’ Park after effectively going on strike. Isak has been training alone and missed Newcastle’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa on Saturday, with reports claiming he is refusing to play for the club ever again.
Time is running out for him to secure a move to Liverpool though, with just over two weeks remaining before the transfer window closes on September 1.
Eddie Howe has suggested there is still a way back into the Magpies side for Isak, although Newcastle fans made their feelings perfectly clear as they directed an X-rated chant toward the striker at Villa Park.
Former Manchester United and Everton star Rooney feels it might be too difficult for Isak to be reintegrated with his current teammates now, but he also suggested that Liverpool may have been put off by the striker’s recent actions.
“The Geordies are a passionate fanbase, it’s going to be hard for him to come back,” Rooney said on Match of the Day.
“But also for his teammates, I think as a teammate you expect your teammates to come and train every day to give everything on the training pitch and when you pull the shirt on to go and play.
“The fact that he is refusing to come in and train is very difficult for him to come back.
“He’s just gone about it in the wrong way. Maybe he’s getting advised wrongly. But also for Liverpool, you have to wonder if that is the sort of player you want. Someone who is going to desert his teammates and walk away from a huge football club.
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“It’s a good opportunity to go to Liverpool, but it has to be done in the right way.”
Liverpool.com says: The Isak saga has certainly become very messy, and given Newcastle is still struggling to sign any new strikers, you have to wonder what he'll do if he is forced to stay put beyond the current transfer window.
Rooney does raise a good point, although it does sound as though Isak may have been left disgruntled by some previous assurances made by Newcastle, and if he did join Liverpool, hopefully this isn't a situation that would be replayed at Anfield.
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