Isak fires back at Newcastle icon Shearer over penalty criticism - 'A bit irrelevant'

Alexander Isak has shot back at Alan Shearer, calling his criticism "irrelevant" after his little dig at the Liverpool striker for not taking a penalty against former club Newcastle.

Isak was bombarded with boos and abuse upon his return to St James' Park last month as Liverpool drew 2-2 with Newcastle. The away side earned a point thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai's last-gasp penalty following a foul by Lewis Hall on Victor Munoz.

Isak left Newcastle for Liverpool last summer in an extremely contentious £125million transfer, which came about after he refused to play for the Magpies to force through the move. The Sweden international is not popular on Tyneside and the home fans made their feelings clear on August 23.

Newcastle legend Shearer said Isak was "battered" by the fans and should have taken the late spot-kick as a way of responding.

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Speaking on The Rest Is Football, he said: "I was thinking 'Go on, come and take the penalty! What have you got? Go and grab the ball and take the penalty Isak.'

"I wanted him to go and take it. I was thinking 'Come on, you've been absolutely battered. Lets see what you've got. Go and grab the ball and take the penalty.'"

But speaking to Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen while on international duty, Isak gave his comments short shrift. "Szoboszlai was the penalty taker for that match," he said.

“It’s a bit irrelevant. Those are team matters and it’s not for the media or the supporters to decide who should take a penalty.”

Isak also brushed off the hostile reception. "I was prepared for the atmosphere, so it was a special match," he said calmly.

The 27-year-old made a slow start to life at Liverpool following his blockbuster transfer, with a lack of match fitness and a serious injury holding him back. But he has started his second campaign with four goals in five Premier League matches for the Reds and is delighted to have finally settled under Andoni Iraola's management.

“It means a lot. If you compare it to last year, I feel I’m in a much better place now physically and in every possible way," he said. "There are many matches where I feel I should and want to contribute more and be more involved. There’s nothing strange about that.

“My first feeling is that we’re more stable defensively. Then we have a lot to improve offensively. The foundations are there and the bar is high.”

Isak is currently away with Sweden, who face four games against Romania (twice), Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Having overcome his fitness issues, the striker is confident he can contribute for both club and country without needing to be wrapped in cotton wool.

"Graham [Potter] is free to use me, but it’s four matches in a short period, so we’ll need to look at playing time for the sake of the team," he said. "If you play four lots of 90 minutes, maybe you don’t give your best, but I feel good and there shouldn’t be any problems.”