Liverpool's near $150 million bid for Alexander Isak was rejected by Newcastle, leading to the Swedish striker's recent transfer request. Isak hasn't trained with Newcastle at St James’ Park since last season ended. According to The Athletic, he's been training independently amidst an uncertain future and has decided never to play for Newcastle again.

Striker Alexander Isak shields the ball from Virgil van Dijk during the Newcastle-Liverpool Premier League match at St James Park on 4/12/2024. Photo: *AFP*

Just before the late match between Newcastle and Liverpool in the second round of the 2025-2026 Premier League season, Jamie Carragher, as a commentator on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football program, shared his views on Isak's situation.

"The next few days will be very interesting," Carragher said. "I didn't think Liverpool would be desperate for Isak without a backup plan, but the closer we get to the end of the transfer window, the more I have a feeling it will happen."

Thierry Henry, former Arsenal striker and guest on the program, considered Isak indispensable to Liverpool. However, Carragher disagreed: "I'm one of the few Liverpool fans not entirely in favor of signing Isak at any cost. I don't think he's as durable as Mo Salah. In fact, he's missed 36 Premier League games in the last three seasons, almost an entire season."

Despite suggestions that Newcastle and manager Eddie Howe should stand firm, Carragher insisted they should sell Isak: "They say Newcastle must show Liverpool or any other club that a player can't just come and demand a transfer. But these people don't face the daily issues Isak is creating. They don't face the constant questions about him like Eddie Howe does. A dark cloud hangs over Newcastle."

Carragher recalled Liverpool's experience with Fernando Torres' transfer request in the summer of 2010: "Torres stayed, but Liverpool sold him in the winter transfer window. Those 4-5 months were a nightmare for the club, and everyone just wanted him gone. Newcastle's situation is similar. As a club, they're excited to be in the Champions League, but Isak is about to turn 26 and has greater ambitions; he wants to win the tournament. Newcastle isn't at that level yet."

Carragher explained further: "When Liverpool's level declined, top players like Torres, Javier Mascherano, and Xabi Alonso wanted to leave because of the large gap between their abilities and the club's standing. I use this example because Newcastle is in a similar situation. When a player no longer wants to stay, it can be a real nightmare."

Henry still rated Isak highly, calling him one of the best strikers in the Premier League. He understood the fans' and club's disappointment and anger at such a talented player wanting to leave. "I've never seen anyone mourn the sale of a bad player," the former Arsenal striker said. "I also understand Isak. As a player, sometimes you put yourself in a position others don't understand, like not returning to training. We never know the whole story, but I think a professional player shouldn't refuse to train. Ideally, the best solution for both Isak and Newcastle is for him to leave. But I also believe that if someone makes a mistake and apologizes, we can forgive. If Isak scores and plays like last season, Newcastle fans will accept him back."

Ha Phuong (*Sky Sports*)