Alexander Isak mystery: ‘Red Zone’, ‘Liverpool confrontation’ and ‘Van Dijk trial’
Alexander Isak’s mysterious absence from the Newcastle United squad against Liverpool raised eyebrows, with many speculating whether there was more to it than the minor injury claimed.
Newcastle suffered a 2-0 defeat at Anfield on 26 February, and Isak’s eleventh-hour omission came as a surprise, especially since there had been no prior indication of injury concerns. However, Eddie Howe confirmed before the match that the superstar striker was suffering from a slight groin issue.
Howe had previously been urged to drop Isak by former Tottenham player and manager Tim Sherwood as Newcastle prepares to face Liverpool again in the Carabao Cup final on 16 March.
The mystery surrounding Isak’s late withdrawal has sparked questions about his fitness, particularly as the team gears up for their chance to secure their first domestic trophy in over 70 years.
Some have speculated that Howe may have left Isak out to manage his fatigue and keep him fresh for the final as well as to make sure Liverpool defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate do not get used to playing against him, adding another layer of intrigue.
| Season stats in 2024/25 | Alexander Isak |
| Appearances | 30 |
| Goals | 21 |
| Assists | 5 |
Alexander Isak too vital to gamble on for Newcastle
Luke Edwards of The Telegraph reported that Isak is currently in the “red zone” for the club which are “the internal metrics system Newcastle use to warn of player fatigue”.
But he also suggested it was part of a masterplan from Howe, who “kept his most dangerous and potent offensive weapon wrapped up and out of view. Liverpool’s defence would not be given a trial run in trying to contain the electric Swede.”
Given his supposed groin issue, it’s clear the club is exercising caution with their star forward, particularly ahead of the crucial cup final. By opting to withdraw Isak from the squad after he had travelled with them to Merseyside, Howe demonstrated just how vital he is to the team’s ambitions, risking points dropped in the league for that matter.
Despite Isak’s unavailability for the match against Liverpool, Howe made it clear in an interview with TNT Sports that Isak is “not a player they can afford to lose for the following games we have.” This statement underscores the importance of the upcoming fixture, which is already at the forefront of the club’s plans, even with more than two weeks to go.
Eddie Howe faces dilemma as the Carabao Cup final approaches
The Swedish striker is attracting interest from several top clubs, with Liverpool linked with a potential move for Isak.
However, the transfer speculation hasn’t distracted the striker, as he continues to find the back of the net, with his goals in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal proving crucial for Newcastle’s progression. Instead, Newcastle are planning to hold sit-down talks with Isak over a new contract.
Whether Howe deliberately left Isak out of the squad remains to be seen. Some may speculate that the decision was made to protect Isak from potential injury, given the mounting pressure on the team as they approach a significant trophy opportunity.
The team face Brighton in the FA Cup on 2 March, which could provide further clarity on the striker’s situation and his readiness for the final.