Alexander Isak go dey return to St James' Park on Sunday as Liverpool go face Newcastle for Premier League. But dis one no be the type of reunion wey player go cherish, because Newcastle supporters no go forget how e take leave dem.
One year don pass since the Swedish striker talk say im relationship with Newcastle “cannot continue” because of broken promises and lack of trust. E move to Liverpool for £130m, but im first season for Anfield no don really ignite. E score only three Premier League goals last season, and injury plus poor fitness affect am.
Na so e be say e no get proper pre-season before e arrive, and e still dey struggle to find im rhythm. A fractured fibula for December no help matters, e miss many games. But Liverpool still believe say e fit become the player wey dem buy.
Before im exit, Isak don show say e be one of the best. For im last two seasons with Newcastle, only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah score more goals for Premier League. E na im score the winner for the cup final against Liverpool, e end the club 56-year trophy wait. Na im make Newcastle fans dey vex well well.
New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola talk say im trust Isak, e say “I think he was good in the World Cup. He will have three or four weeks of quality training, I hope we can put him in a good place because he is going to be massive for us this season.”
For pre-season, Isak show some signs. E score against Monaco, and e get some moments against Como even though e no too sharp. E press well sometimes, but e still dey need to do more. Iraola dey demand pressing from im players, e talk say dem dey try to understand di new way.
But di main tins be say Isak dey need to get im physical sharpness back. Last season, im top speed don drop, and e no dey get enough chances. E still dey outperform im xG, but e no dey for di right positions. Arne Slot complain say di team no take chances, but for Isak, e na di issue say e no dey on end of di chances.
Against Como, e get some nearly moments. E hesitate for di box, e loose touch when Cody Gakpo set am up, e no read Dominik Szoboszlai dummy. Hints dey so, but no be di emphatic proof say Isak don fully fit and ready to fire.
When e step out for St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon, e go face di noise and di anger. But na im chance to show Liverpool fans wetin dem buy. Di game go be more about di future than di past.
