Alexander Isak explains why he took drastic action to leave Newcastle for Liverpool

Alexander Isak admits he simply couldn't resist the chance to join Liverpool in a British record £125million transfer, as the protracted summer saga surrounding his future finally reached its conclusion. The Swedish striker completed his eagerly anticipated switch to Anfield on transfer deadline day after refusing to feature in Newcastle's opening three fixtures of the campaign, whilst pushing for a move he believed had been guaranteed to him.

Isak became persona non grata amongst the Tyneside faithful following his conduct, with supporters displaying a banner branding him a 'rat' outside St James' Park on Monday. However, the forward expressed little regret over his behaviour after securing the transfer he desperately wanted, and has been handed the iconic No. 9 jersey at Anfield.

Speaking to the club's official website about his motivation for choosing Liverpool, Isak explained: "It's a mixture of what the club is building, but what they're building on top of what the club already is. The history of the club."

"Me getting the chance to be a part of this, I want to create history. I want to win trophies.

"That's ultimately the biggest motivation for me and I feel like this is the perfect place for me to grow even further and to take my game to the next level and help the team as well.

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"I feel like this is the next step for me in my career. I'm super-happy that I've been given this chance and I'm very motivated to do something well with it."

The striker netted 62 times during his three-year spell with Newcastle, including twice against Liverpool at Anfield whilst wearing the black and white stripes. When asked about the prospect of playing for Liverpool in front of the Kop, he responded: "It's so exciting. I think it's something difficult to put into words, I think you have to experience it and then explain.

"I think we all know what Liverpool is about, the fans and what they're about as well. So, yeah, looking forward to getting to experience that."

Newcastle bid farewell to Isak with a brief 37-word statement on Monday evening, stating: "Newcastle United can announce the sale of striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a significant British record transfer fee. The Sweden international joined the Magpies from Real Sociedad in 2022 and made 109 appearances in all competitions."