Return to St James' Park
Alexander Isak, who left Newcastle United for Liverpool in a British transfer-record £125 million deal last summer, arrived at St James' Park on Sunday for the Premier League clash. The Swedish international was met with a hostile welcome, with fans chanting “rat” and throwing whistles and boos as he entered the stadium.
Fan Hostility and Match Outcome
The match finished 2-2. Newcastle took a 2-1 lead when Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock each scored from the penalty spot after Cody Gakpo’s strike. Liverpool fought back, and Dominik Szoboszlai secured a point with a 99th-minute penalty when Victor Munoz was brought down by Lewis Hall.
Isak’s Performance and Body-Language
Isak had only six touches in the Liverpool box and missed two big chances. Body-language analyst Darren Stanton described his arrival as “lip suppression” - lips closed, slightly compressed, eyebrows lowered, looking downwards - indicating he wanted to escape the hostile environment. Stanton said Isak “clearly was” upset, despite trying to appear unbothered.
Match Highlights
- 2-2 draw
- Elanga and Willock scored for Newcastle
- Szoboszlai’s 99th-minute penalty
- Isak’s limited involvement: six touches, two missed chances
The day was a stark reminder of the tension surrounding Isak’s move to Liverpool and the lingering resentment from Newcastle supporters.
