Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister reveals dressing room view on Alexander Isak’s drawn-out transfer saga
The summer transfer window was dominated by one story on Merseyside. Every week seemed to bring a fresh twist, a new headline and another wave of speculation around whether Alexander Isak would finally swap Newcastle United for Liverpool.
Inside Liverpool’s dressing room, players were following events just as closely as supporters and eventually, just as wearily.
“At the beginning, it was a big thing,” Alexis Mac Allister told TNT Sports. “And after a while we got a bit tired because it was too long. But we all know the player he is. He is going to be really, really important and we are happy to have him here.”
The relief around when the deal finally went through on deadline day was palpable. Liverpool had pushed all summer to prise the Sweden international away from Newcastle. The striker had made his desire clear, but Newcastle’s firm stance publicly declaring he was not for sale prolonged negotiations until the eve of the transfer window.
Isak was eventually secured for a British-record fee of £125 million, the latest statement signing in an era of bold investment under Fenway Sports Group (FSG)
For Isak himself, the saga was even more difficult. Forced to train away from the Newcastle first team during pre-season, he arrived at Liverpool undercooked, short of sharpness and match fitness.
Yet those inside the club say his attitude has been exemplary since joining. Determined to make up for lost time, the 25-year-old has thrown himself into Arne Slot’s training regime, eager to adapt to the Dutchman’s pressing demands and possession structure.
“It’s good for him because it’s what he wanted,” Mac Allister said. “And we are so happy to have him because we know the player that he is — and we suffered against him a couple of times as well.”
Wednesday night against Atletico Madrid offered the first real glimpse of what Isak might bring. Handed his debut in the Champions League clash, he lasted 58 minutes, his first competitive start since May.
In that time, he showed promising signs of chemistry with Florian Wirtz, another big-money summer arrival, drifting into pockets of space and combining neatly in attacking areas.
Though he departed with Liverpool leading 2-1, it was Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage-time winner that ultimately secured a 3-2 victory and preserved Slot’s side’s 100 per cent start to the season.
The Liverpool manager has made a habit of relying on late drama in recent weeks. His side’s resilience and knack for clutch moments have carried them through tight games, but the addition of Isak is designed to give them a sharper cutting edge earlier in contests.
That attacking overhaul has been significant. The departures of Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, Harvey Elliott, Ben Doak, Tyler Morton, Jarell Quansah and Caoimhín Kelleher balanced the books, but also left Liverpool needing fresh firepower.
Isak and Wirtz were brought in to provide it. Between them, they represent a changing of the guard in attack more technical, more versatile and more tailored to Slot’s system of positional play.
“Maybe the other club are not happy but that’s the way football works,” Mac Allister said with a wry smile. “They paid quite a lot of money so I think it’s good for both clubs.”
At 6ft 4in, Isak offers height and presence, but he is not a traditional target man. His strength lies in drifting into wide spaces, driving at defenders and linking play — qualities Liverpool saw up close during his two years at Newcastle.
Mac Allister, who faced him both for Brighton and Argentina, knows exactly how dangerous he can be. “We suffered against him a couple of times,” he admitted. That memory has only heightened the squad’s excitement about finally having him on their side.
Slot has already spoken internally about Isak’s potential role not just as a No 9, but also as a flexible forward capable of rotating with wide players and interchanging with Wirtz.
For now, the priority is fitness. After a disrupted pre-season, Liverpool’s staff are carefully building him back up, balancing minutes on the pitch with a tailored programme at Kirkby. The expectation is that by late autumn, Isak will be ready to start consistently and shoulder the attacking burden.
Liverpool’s willingness to push to £125 million for Isak reflects both their belief in his potential and the new financial landscape in the Premier League. Spending of that scale was balanced by significant sales, but it also signalled that FSG are willing to stretch when they identify the right player.
“It’s what he wanted,” Mac Allister emphasised. “We are happy, and we know the quality he has.”
Supporters saw only glimpses against Atletico, but those inside the club are convinced there is much more to come. If he can settle quickly and rediscover his sharpness, Liverpool’s attack could look very different in the months ahead.
For Slot, the hope is that the saga which tested patience all summer will soon be forgotten and replaced by the goals that persuaded Liverpool to persist.
