Arne Slot has said he isn’t worried about the potential for Alexander Isak to leave Liverpool in the same way he departed Newcastle, saying it would not be “necessary.”
Liverpool supporters were thrilled to receive the news that Isak had finally signed for the Reds, but some harbour slight reservations over the way he forced his move from Newcastle.
Though there were mitigating factors, the Swede effectively declined to play for Eddie Howe’s side, and Slot was asked if he was worried Isak could deploy the same tactics at Liverpool in the future.
“No, not at all. It is not necessary at our club because we also trade players,” the Liverpool head coach told media including the Liverpool Echo.
“If a player wants to leave and we get the right money for him then this club has shown for so many years now that we then do sell.
“At this club it is not necessary at all to go on strike. I think it will have the opposite effect.”
The Dutchman went on to give examples of players remaining committed despite wanting a move, naming Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton as those who kept training to a high level.
Slot added: “You can keep on training here and Harvey Elliott gets his transfer (to Aston Villa), Tyler Morton gets his transfer (to Lyon).
“There were maybe eight-nine-10 players in the last window who just conducted themselves in the best possible way and we are a club that is trading so maybe write this down for every agent that has a player here: it is not necessary.
“If the right price is paid by the right club for the right player then this club has shown we always do sell because we need this to get our players in.
“That is different. That is a very positive thing at this club: you get your transfer if everyone is happy.”
While it is only natural for fans to feel slightly uneasy about the manner in which Isak forced his way out of St James’ Park, the reason for Isak to down tools stemmed from his claims that Newcastle had broken promises.
On August 19, Isak wrote on Instagram: “I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.
“The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.
“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue.”
With a stable hierarchy and efficient system in place at Liverpool, unlike at Newcastle, the same problems shouldn’t come to pass if Isak were to desire a move in future.
For now, though, supporters need not worry about these potential scenarios, with the No. 9 having signed a six-year contract for Liverpool.
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