I get why Alexander Isak wanted Liverpool - but he's set a precedent I don't like

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Les Ferdinand believes Alexander Isak has "set a precedent" for how transfers will now be engineered by wantaway players following his £125m move to Liverpool.

And while the Newcastle United legend admits he can understand Isak's desire to move to the Reds, he criticised the nature of how it came to pass following a summer-long saga that finally ended on transfer deadline day.

Isak was left out of Newcastle's 4-0 friendly defeat to Celtic in Glasgow on July 19 before he refused to fly out on the pre-season tour of the Far East, citing a minor injury.

The Sweden international then returned to training at the base of former club Real Sociedad without the permission of the Magpies and released an explosive statement suggesting the hierarchy on Tyneside had broken promises around a new contract just moments after being included in the PFA team of the season last month, in an event at the Manchester Opera House that he didn't attend.

READ MORE:Alexander Isak makes £125m Liverpool transfer admission - 'Never could have dreamed'READ MORE:Alexander Isak hints at new Liverpool transfer details after Newcastle statement - 'Not whole picture'

After weeks of speculation, Liverpool eventually agreed a British record fee of £125m on August 31, just hours after Arne Slot's side had beaten title rivals Arsenal at Anfield, and Isak completed his dream move on September 1, before the 7pm deadline.

Ferdinand is quoted as telling Chronicle Live: "The way it has happened, everybody is talking about what happens next for other players in future windows.

"He has set a precedent now, the way players may go about things.

I'm not just having a go at Alexander Isak, Yoane Wissa is included in that as well.

"People are going to look at contracts now and say: 'What are they actually worth?' If a player can down tools.

"You have players who are on six year or seven year deals, if you can down tools and say: 'I ain't playing for you anymore, I want a move'.

In that case, contracts mean nothing.

"I can 100% understand why he Isak wanted Liverpool.

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The former England international added: "Liverpool won the league last year and they look a strong outfit and want to add to what they've won.

"Historically, they are a fantastic club, and Isak will double his money.

"So all the incentives are there for him as a player, and I totally get it from a player point of view.

"I just don't like the way he went about it."

Isak played his first minutes since May on Monday night when he emerged as a second-half substitute for Sweden in their 2-0 World Cup qualifier defeat to Kosovo.

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He could make his Liverpool debut when they return to Premier League action away to Burnley on Sunday.