'I'd probably': Newcastle boss Eddie Howe answers question on Liverpool's Alexander Isak in classy fashion

Eddie Howe has given a classy response when asked how he feels about Alexander Isak’s goal for Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final. 

It was Isak who scored the winning goal for Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final, ending their 70-year wait for a major domestic honour.  

Dan Burn had opened the scoring at Wembley with a fine header but Isak’s second half strike ended up sealing the historic victory, with Liverpool eventually scoring late through Federico Chiesa.

In many ways, it’s quite strange to look back on. Isak was the hero against Liverpool that day, but quickly tarnished his legacy among supporters by forcing a move to Anfield. 

As such, Isak is a hugely unpopular figure among Newcastle fans, who rightly felt let down by his conduct prior to leaving.  

Still, Howe does not believe the way in which he left the club can ruin that moment at Wembley. 

Eddie Howe doesn’t think Alexander Isak’s goal against Liverpool should be forgotten

The Newcastle United manager was speaking to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie about all that 2025 brought for the club. 

It has been a remarkable year for the Magpies, who followed up their trophy win by qualifying for the Champions League.

Like it or not, Isak was crucial to that success. He scored 27 goals in 42 games, 12 of which were game-winning strikes. 

Knowing what you know now, would you have sold Alexander Isak in 2024 instead of Elliot Anderson? 🤔

In this scenario, we still win the Carabao Cup by the way 😂

One didn’t want to leave. The other did his best to.

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In a video posted by Sky Sports, Howe was asked about how he feels about the moment, given what Isak did after scoring the famous goal. 

In a classy response, Howe said: “I’d probably just look at that individually in the moment.

“And the moment is a really special one for the football club. Alex played his part in the season.

“You look at him as a footballer, he’s an incredible footballer. He can do things that I’ve not seen many others do.

“The thing I love about that goal, for him, is that it’s just deadly.”

Rather than look back negatively, Howe wants the moment to be remembered for what it was.

The worrying Alexander Isak moment immediately after the Carabao Cup final

As Newcastle were celebrating, Isak was seen embracing Virgil van Dijk on the pitch at Wembley.

The two hugged and the Dutch defender was left smiling as the striker walked off. 

Though Toon fans didn’t know what was to come back then, it now looks somewhat strange.

Indeed, Van Dijk has suggested he will one day reveal what Isak told him after the Carabao Cup final. 

In September, he said: “Maybe in two years’ time or three years’ time, I will tell you. But not now. I can’t remember!”

Perhaps that was the first indication that Isak was thinking about life after Newcastle…

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