Alexander Isak's telling response to Liverpool tackle…

Alexander Isak's telling response to Liverpool tackle shut down Paul Merson Newcastle doubt

You suspect even Jurgen Klopp was a little surprised when the Liverpool boss saw Newcastle United's team sheet at 7pm on Wednesday night. There was the club's new record signing, Alexander Isak, in the starting line-up.

Eddie Howe had previously eased Bruno Guimaraes and, to a lesser extent, Sven Botman into life on Tyneside and the pair both started their Newcastle careers on the bench following their respective moves from the continent. Isak, in contrast, was thrown straight in at the earliest opportunity at Anfield.

Yes Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson's injuries influenced Howe's decision, but it would have been easier just to stick with Chris Wood for the third game running - even if the striker was a little jaded. However, Howe trusted Isak to start just hours after the Sweden international received his work permit, which shows just how highly the Newcastle boss rates the 22-year-old.

Isak may have only had a few light sessions, following his £58m move from Real Sociedad last week, but Joe Willock spoke for the dressing room when he said his team-mates were 'all excited to play with him' after witnessing glimpses of the striker's finishing ability and link-up play.

Newcastle supporters soon got to see those qualities firsthand. In a game of few clear cut chances - the visitors only had two shots on target all game - Isak showed his worth in the 38th minute. Sean Longstaff's through ball was perfectly weighted, but the elusive Isak timed his run expertly as he ghosted in between Jordan Henderson and Joe Gomez before lashing the ball into the net past Alisson. It was some finish; the injured Saint-Maximin, who scored a stunning goal, himself last week, repeatedly roared: 'Exceptional!" as he watched on from home.

Isak became only the 12th player to score on his Premier League debut for Newcastle, following in the footsteps of Les Ferdinand, Callum Wilson and Papiss Cisse. However, there was more to Isak's first appearance for the club than just the goal or, indeed, the superb finish that was narrowly disallowed in the 54th minute.

Isak, physically, took a knock after Joe Gomez caught him right on the boot midway through the first half, but that challenge did not deter the Sweden international. In fact, just a few minutes later, Isak did not back down in a 50/50 with onrushing Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, earning a cheer from the away end in the process. Was it any wonder the committed Isak ultimately went off with a dead leg later in the game?

Pundit Paul Merson had previously highlighted Isak's lack of Premier League experience as a potential concern yet you would not have known this was the rangy 22-year-old's first game in England as he stood up to the physical challenge. Off the ball, too, Isak diligently ran the channels and pressed Liverpool's defenders effectively. Considering Isak had never played in the top-flight before, it was an assured debut but nothing less than Howe expected.

Alexander Isak of Newcastle United (14) celebrates with teammate Joe Willock (Newcastle United via Getty Images)

"I wasn't necessarily surprised," he told reporters. "I know what he is capable of. That will have been an eye-opener for him. Just the pace of the Premier League is relentless so again a very open game, transitions both ways. I thought he dealt with that really well.

"When you consider he has not had a lot of training with us - even the days he has trained we have been preparing for a lot of matches so training has been low-key - he dealt with that break in his training schedule very well. He picked up a knock, but I don't think that's anything serious so I'm really pleased with his physical output."

Alexander Isak's telling response to Liverpool tackle shut down Paul Merson Newcastle doubt

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