Newcastle United are waiting to see if Alexander Isak can debut v Liverpool. The Swede is their new record signing.
This comes from the Athletic. They claim that Newcastle United remain hopeful that Alexander Isak will be granted a work permit to face Liverpool tomorrow evening.
The Magpies head to Anfield after a 1-1 draw with Wolves at the weekend. That draw came without Isak, however, who didn’t get his work permit. Their new signing had to watch from the stands as Newcastle played out the game.
That was a massive blow, however. Isak arrived in the wake of Callum Wilson’s injury and his inability to play left them short. It’s a problem they’ll hope rectifies itself for their trip to Merseyside.
Alexander Isak could debut v Liverpool
Newcastle have paid £59m to sign Isak and manager Eddie Howe is understandably excited. He sees his new striker as a player with ‘X factor’.
“He has pace, technical ability, dribbling ability,” said Howe, per the Guardian. “He’s got a bit of the X factor about him.
“Alex is slightly different and I think he’s capable of scoring goals. He’s technically very good and has a mix of qualities I really like in a forward player.”
And we agree. It wasn’t too long ago that we wanted to see Isak at Liverpool, in fact. The Reds instead went for Darwin Nunez but there’s certainly curiosity to see what the striker brings at Newcastle and the Premier League.
Though, we’ll be hoping he doesn’t get the work permit. Newcastle will be very short if Isak doesn’t play and it’s the derby at the weekend – we could do with this one being a routine win.
In all reality, though, Liverpool’s defence will need to handle the giant Swede. He’ll certainly give Virgil van Dijk and co. a tough task. Let’s see if the Reds are up to it.
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