Alan Shearer delivers blunt Alexander Isak verdict and makes Arne Slot Liverpool job prediction

Alan Shearer has been discussing Alexander Isak’s transfer from Newcastle United to Liverpool and the way forward for Arne Slot

Premier League legend Alan Shearer believes Alexander Isak’s British switch report £125m transfer from Newcastle United to Liverpool has not labored out for any of the events concerned.

The Sweden worldwide’s mega cash swap to the defending Premier League champions ultimately went by on transfer deadline day in September.

Isak had pushed for the transfer all summer time, ensuing him lacking the overwhelming majority of pre-season with Newcastle, who had rejected Liverpool’s preliminary provide of £110m.

But whereas the 26-year-old in the end received what he wished, his lack of match health and sharpness resulted in him scoring simply two targets in his first 15 appearances for the Reds.

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He then produced a high quality end – harking back to those for the Magpies – to interrupt the impasse within the 2-1 triumph at Tottenham Hotspur on December 20.

But in the identical act Isak suffered a severe leg damage that dominated him out till the beginning of this month.

The striker has failed to seek out the web in his first 4 appearances since returning to full health and, given the character of the damage he sustained following a problem from Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven, he has understandably proven indicators of rustiness.

But Shearer wonders whether or not Isak will ever be the identical participant as he was on Tyneside, the place he scored 62 targets in 109 appearances.

And he additionally admits that his former membership’s makes an attempt to interchange the Swede – with the £69m Nick Woltemade and £50m Yoane Wissa – have additionally faltered.

“The Isak transfer has been disastrous for Newcastle, Liverpool, and himself,” stated Shearer, who fired in 206 targets in 405 video games for the Magpies.

“It really has not worked for any party. The money they paid out for him was a good fee that Newcastle got, but it just hasn’t worked for all three parties.

“I have no idea the extent of how his damage has affected him or how a lot it has harm him mentally this 12 months.

“He looks like he will be fit for the World Cup with Sweden, and on paper, their forward line of (Viktor) Gyokeres, (Anthony) Elanga, Isak and (Dejan) Kulusevski looks decent.

“But till we all know the place he’s mentally and bodily, it’s a laborious query to reply whether or not he will probably be ever be pretty much as good as he was at Newcastle. It’s loads to tackle, what’s occurred to him this season.”

Isak performed 72 minutes because the Reds gained final Sunday’s first-ever Merseyside derby in opposition to Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium 2-1 because of a dramatic late header from captain Virgil van Dijk.

This Saturday they host bogey-side Crystal Palace, who’ve beat them 3 times this season.

But ought to they finish that run in opposition to the Eagles and emerge triumphant, it will transfer Liverpool eight factors away from sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion within the battle to safe a top-five end and Champions League soccer.

That is the minimal goal for the Reds after a tough marketing campaign and, ought to they obtain it, it’s extensively anticipated that head coach Arne Slot, who led the membership to title glory in his first season in cost, would stay within the Anfield hotseat.

And Shearer, chatting with Betfair, stated: “There is little question Liverpool have had a poor season by their very own requirements, falling to this point behind Arsenal and Manchester City. You have to take a look at their recruitment final summer time and whether or not Slot was a giant a part of that, I do not know the ins and outs of that soccer membership.

“It would be very difficult to get rid of a manager who won the league the year before. Football is so small-minded in terms of what’s happening now rather than trying to look ahead and plan.

“Before a ball was kicked this season, virtually everybody thought they had been a shoo-in to win the Premier League. There are many causes as to why this hasn’t occurred.

“Ultimately, their recruitment has not worked this season. The Isak situation is clear for everyone; I know he’s had injuries, but even when he’s played, he’s been poor. (Milos) Kerkez hasn’t had a great season, nor has (Florian) Wirtz, nor has (Jeremie) Frimpong.

“The just one who actually has had an excellent season is (Hugo) Ekitike and now he is out long-term as properly. So, very very like Newcastle, it goes right down to recruitment. It hasn’t labored and they’re paying the worth for that.

“Whether these players get better after a year in the Premier League, we’ll have to wait and see. My guess is with Slot, is if they get into the Champions League, I think he will be given the chance to go again.”