Eddie Howe offers classy Alexander Isak response despite 'relationship change'

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Liverpool IconLiverpool FC NewsFeaturesAlexander IsakAlexander Isak left Newcastle in acrimonious circumstances during the summer transfer window, but Eddie Howe hasn't let that cloud his view of the player's qualityEddie Howe praised Alexander Isak's quality(Image: Sky Sports)Eddie Howe described Alexander Isak as an "incredible footballer" as he looked back on Newcastle's 2025 – a year which saw the Magpies end a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.Newcastle won the game 2-1, with Isak scoring the team's second goal after Dan Burn headed the North East club in front in the first half. Despite what transpired in the months after that game, with Isak effectively going on strike to force his way out of Newcastle, Howe did not let that cloud his view on Isak's contribution to a historic success.It was put to Howe in an interview with Sky Sports that Isak had tarnished his Newcastle legacy with the manner of his exit, but Howe did not want to discuss that, instead choosing to focus on the Carabao Cup final.READ MORE: Alan Shearer suffered exact same injury as Alexander Isak - 'It's unlucky'READ MORE: Mohamed Salah's spat with Arne Slot came at right time claims ex-Liverpool star“I’d probably just look at that individually in the moment," Howe said.

You look at him as a footballer, he’s an incredible footballer."He can do things that I’ve not seen many others do. The thing I love about that goal, for him, is that it’s just deadly."Isak and Howe helped Newcastle to win its first domestic trophy in 70 years(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA, Getty Images)Isak secured a Premier League record transfer to Liverpool on deadline day of the summer window, having refused to train and play for Newcastle in pre-season due to his desire to move to Anfield.In the days after Isak completed his move to Liverpool, Newcastle boss Howe said Isak's decision to go on strike changed the relationship between manager and player."Alex and I always enjoyed a great relationship," Howe said in September.

I hope he enjoyed working with us."It was mutually beneficial. We helped him become the player he in part is today and he helped us as a team achieve some unbelievable milestones and was part of a very successful team."The moment he went on strike our relationship did change and that was probably a turning point in our relationship."Isak is now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after the striker suffered a serious leg injury during Liverpool's win over Tottenham on Saturday.Isak emerged as a substitute with the game goalless, and was responsible for breaking the deadlock as he latched onto Florian Wirtz's through ball and lashed the ball into the Spurs net.However, Isak stayed down after scoring under a challenge from Micky van de Ven and and subsequent scans confirmed that Isak had fractured his leg.