Things haven’t quite gone to plan for Alexander Isak since leaving Newcastle United this summer, and now we might know why.
There was always going to be a great deal of pressure and an intense spotlight on Alexander Isak after he forced through a move to Liverpool.
Are Newcastle missing Alexander Isak?
The former Newcastle United hero upset fans with the way he exited the club, so it’s been secretly rather satisfying for the Magpies fanbase to see Isak struggle at Anfield.
Isak did get his first Premier League goal at the weekend, but something is still not quite right.
Where Alexander Isak is going wrong at Liverpool
In the latest episode of Beyond the Back Four podcast, former Newcastle United scout Paul Montgomery had plenty to say about Isak and the way he’s settled in at Liverpool, and he thinks he knows why it’s been a difficult transition for the Swedish striker.
Montgomery said: “We saw what Isak can do at Newcastle. One thing I’m negative about Isak is that his game has to change. His game was brilliant at Newcastle because they played on the counter at Newcastle, they played in behind the opposition defence which suited Isak because he’s quick.
“They used to play balls over the top and boom, Isak, Murphy, Gordon, they were all dangerous because of that.”
Arne Slot and Liverpool obviously play a different style to the Magpies, which Montgomery insists Isak is simply going to have to adapt to.
“Now, he’s Playing for Liverpool, who have the ball more and have to open doors more. It’s a different way to play that Isak has to learn. He needs more close control, to play more in the box,” he added. “Most teams who play Liverpool have a brick wall you have to get through.”
“Mentally, he has a different game he has to get to now because in the past the team played to his attributes; he isn’t going to get that at Liverpool.”
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Newcastle United have to adapt to Nick Woltemade strengths
Thankfully, Newcastle have not missed Isak all that much. Nick Woltemade just keeps getting better as the weeks go by, and there’s still room for him to improve even more.
The German forward has scored some sublime goals for Newcastle. But, he’s done it all with limited service, largely because the team are getting used to how he plays and how best to provide for him.
How much has Yoane Wissa endeared himself to Newcastle United fans already?!
As Montgomery says, if Newcastle can start playing balls in behind and getting runners ahead of Woltemade, he will get even more dangerous.
The return of Yoane Wissa will help in that regard. Woltemade is not the quickest player, but with Wissa supporting him and making those runs, it will allow the former to linger around the box and pounce on anything that comes his way.
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