Andoni Iraola backs Alexander Isak to be "very important" for Liverpool ahead of Newcastle reunion

It is the reunion Newcastle fans have been waiting months to sink their teeth into and Andoni Iraola knows full well the storm waiting for Alexander Isak at St James' Park this Sunday.

The £125million striker makes his first return to Tyneside in Liverpool red following his messy, headline-grabbing exit last summer. But inside the Anfield camp, there is zero interest in the sideshow. Iraola has thrown his complete support behind the Swede, quietly backing him to be the defining force of Liverpool’s season provided his body holds up.

Few players have ever been in the spotlight in any match quite as much as Alexander Isak will be on Sunday. The Swedish striker was an absolute hero on Tyneside, scoring 62 times in 109 appearances for Newcastle, including netting during the Magpies' historic EFL Cup victory over Liverpool at Wembley. This secured the club's first major domestic trophy for 70 years.

However, fair to say, absolutely none of that goodwill still exists. Isak burnt all bridges by going on strike last summer, in order to force through his move to Liverpool, which eventually came through on deadline day for a Premier League record £130 million fee.

Now though, the 26 year old will face Newcastle for the first time since leaving. The Reds' visit to St James' Park came while Isak was, well we don't really know where he was last August, while he missed January's clash at Anfield due to injury. Thus, needless to say he won't be warmly welcomed back.

Thus, as this is a major talking point, Andoni Iraola was asked about Isak's return during Friday's press conference at AXA Training Centre. This is what the head coach had to say:

"It's always special when you play against your ex-team in your stadium. It's the same way when I go back to play against Bournemouth. You always want to do well in the Premier League. And the first game of the season, I think everyone will be very, very motivated, and I think it's going to be the same for Alex."

Andoni Iraola

Whether he is ignorant, or just did not want to add fuel to the fire, these quotes do not suggest Iraola is quite aware how hated Isak is on Tyneside. When Liverpool visit Bournemouth next month, the 44 year old will receive a hero's reception, as he is still beloved by all those at the Vitality Stadium.

For reasons already outlined, the same cannot be said of Isak in Newcastle; it could hardly be more contrasting in fact. So, Iraola attempting to compare the two seems misguided, deliberately or otherwise. Later on during the media conference, the manager was asked about Isak's broader importance, as well as how he will fit into his Iraola's system:

"Alex is going to be a very important player for us this season. Right now I think he is in a very good place, he's been training every day, he hasn't missed a training session, he's adding more and more minutes in every friendly game... I want to keep him there as much as we can because we know his level and if we can keep him there, he will score the goals, he will give us a lot of things... probably my instructions are more in terms of without the ball."

Andoni Iraola

Following his £130 million move, Isak scored just four goals for Liverpool last season, a return surely no one could've foreseen. He was on target against Southampton in the EFL Cup and West Ham in the Premier League, before suffering a fractured fibula in the his left ankle in the act of netting at Tottenham just before Christmas, this as a result of a horror challenge by Micky van de Ven.

This resulted in him being sidelined for four months, netting only once upon his return, on target against Crystal Palace. This time round, he will surely better his tally of four goals and only 13 starts across all competitions. Well, Isak was on the scoresheet during the pre-season friendly against Monaco at Anfield a fortnight ago.

Thus, he'll certainly love to silence the St James' Park crowd with a goal on the opening day of the Premier League. If Liverpool are going to challenge for major honours this season, they will need Isak to be at his scintillating best.

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