'Alexander Isak's disrespectful behaviour is a major red flag for Arne Slot and Liverpool'

Nicky Butt has said that Alexander Isak's "disrespectful" behaviour at Newcastle United should be a "red flag" for Liverpool. The Swedish striker has seemingly burned his bridges on Tyneside with reports suggesting he has claimed he will never play for the Magpies again.

The 25-year-old, who only arrived at St James' Park in a £63million move from Real Sociedad in 2022, has long been coy about his future, which could now be at Liverpool given their interest in the striker. While the Reds saw an opening offer of £110m plus add-ons swiftly rebuffed by Newcastle, it is thought that last season's Premier League winners could soon return with a fresh bid - but only if Newcastle's stance changes.

The Magpies are not willing to let Isak leave unless their £150m valuation of the player is met and they are able to recruit a replacement. The situation in the north east has turned ugly given Isak's recent defiance, with the player training separately from the first team after missing Eddie Howe's pre-season tour of Asia.

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And Butt, who played for the Toon Army between 2004 and 2010, believes that Isak's behaviour should come as a major red flag for Arne Slot and Liverpool. Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football via BetMGM, the 50-year-old said: "I've never met Isak in my life, he always looked like a really decent guy on the football pitch, but I think the way he's behaved has been really disrespectful to the football club and knowing what the fans are like up there, you know, I wish him all the best."

He added: "It would be a red flag for me if I was a manager, but you don't know what's been said to the boy. You might have said the only way you're getting out is by going and kicking up a fuss, and if this is your dream to play for this football club, then you've got to go and maybe be out of character for a while.

"So you don't know what goes on, and I think there's a lot of games with agents in modern day football, and it's just sad. I mean, I'm sure if Isak went into the football club and said, 'I want to play for Liverpool or my boyhood club or whatever that might be, and I need to leave, I don't want to kick up a fuss, but I will do if you don't help me out here...'

"I think once someone says that to you, you better off letting them go. Just let them go and do what they want to do and get some good money for them. And shake their hand and wish them all the best, even though if you don't believe that. It's just a better way of doing things, and I just think he's been badly advised."

Butt also claimed that it is disappointing to see the saga unfold the way it has done after such a successful season for Newcastle, which saw them qualify for the Champions League and win their first trophy in 70 years in the Carabao Cup. Isak scored the winning goal in the final of the tournament against Liverpool to clinch silverware for the club.

He explained: "Yeah, I think it's sad, isn't it, after an amazing season for Newcastle and the fans, and the manager, and the players and everyone associated with Newcastle. And to see the star player behave like he has been, I think it's pretty bad, really. Pretty sad.

"I hope it does happen for the club's sake now. He [Howe] can move on. He can go and he can get the money and go and find players that want to play for that football club, and I think that's the most important thing.

"It's really tough to come back from that, because if you're doing the right things around your peers and within the changing rooms, you can always try and win fans back, if you like. You can always try and work hard and apologise, but if you lose your mates in the changing room, I think you're done.”

It's not the first time a player has kicked up a fuss in hope of securing a move. Earlier this summer, Viktor Gyokeres infamously ditched Sporting CP's pre-season preparations to push a move to Arsenal. And while the Gunners ultimately managed to agree on a £64m deal for the 27-year-old, his approach could have come back to haunt him.

That's because Liverpool are yet to table a second bid for Isak as it stands, meaning Isak could be forced to remain in the north east. The Reds have already spent more than £250m this summer on the likes of Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong.

Given they are currently directing their attention on deals for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi and Parma's Giovanni Leoni, their funds potentially previously reserved for Isak may take a hit ahead of deadline day. Isak has also reportedly said that his stance with regards to playing for Newcastle will not change, even if he is unable to secure a move ahead of September 1. Such a reality could turn things even sourer on Tyneside, given he is under contract until 2028.

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