Alexander Isak has responded to Alan Shearer after the Newcastle United legend questioned why the striker did not take Liverpool’s stoppage-time penalty on his return to St James’ Park.
Isak faced his former club in the opening Premier League weekend, with Liverpool eventually rescuing a 2-2 draw through Dominik Szoboszlai’s late penalty.
Shearer was surprised that Isak did not take the spot-kick himself, particularly given the circumstances surrounding his first appearance back on Tyneside.
However, the Sweden international has now explained that Szoboszlai was Liverpool’s designated penalty taker for the game.
Speaking to Fotbollskanalen, Isak said: “Szoboszlai was the penalty taker for that match.”
Asked about the wider debate, he added: “It’s a bit irrelevant. Those are team matters.”
Alexander Isak reflects on Newcastle return
Isak’s return to St James’ Park was one of the major storylines surrounding Newcastle’s opening game of the season.
The striker had left the Magpies for Liverpool the previous summer and knew he would receive a difficult reception from the home support.
He admitted the atmosphere made the occasion unusual but said he had been prepared for what awaited him.
Isak told Fotbollskanalen that the match was “special”, adding that he knew what sort of atmosphere to expect before kick-off.
The game eventually finished 2-2 after Newcastle had looked on course to take all three points.
Liverpool’s late penalty proved decisive, with Szoboszlai converting after Lewis Hall was penalised inside the area.
That decision has remained a major talking point since the match, with Read Newcastle previously covering the released VAR audio surrounding the stoppage-time incident.
Isak focused on Liverpool after Newcastle exit
Isak has since made a strong start to the new Premier League season with Liverpool.
The 27-year-old has scored four goals in his opening five league appearances and says he feels physically stronger than he did during a difficult first campaign at Anfield.
His focus now is on maintaining that form rather than revisiting the circumstances surrounding his Newcastle departure.
Shearer’s original question centred on whether Isak might have wanted responsibility for the decisive penalty against his former club.
Isak made clear that he would always be willing to take one, but that Liverpool’s penalty order had already been decided before the game.
The striker’s explanation should therefore end any suggestion that he deliberately avoided taking the kick on his return to St James’ Park.
For Newcastle supporters, the discussion provides another reminder of a dramatic opening-day meeting which remains one of the most eventful matches of the season so far.
