Alexander Isak slams Newcastle over 'broken promises' in Liverpool transfer saga
Wantaway striker Alexander Isak has taken to Instagram to tell his side of the story as he pushes for a big-money move to Liverpool, accusing Newcastle of 'breaking promises' and 'misleading' the public.
Named in the 2024/25 PFA Premier League team of the year on Tuesday, Isak opted not to attend the festivities as he continues to sit out Newcastle games and training in a bid to force through his move to the Reds.
The centre of plenty of conjecture over the transfer window, Isak hit the proverbial red button on Instagram.
'I'm not going to the ceremony tonight. With everything going on it didn't feel right to be there,' he posted on an Instagram story.
'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. That's where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.'
Alexander Isak airs Newcastle's dirty laundry.
Mohamed Salah became the first player to win the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) men's player of the year for a third time on Tuesday after guiding Liverpool to Premier League glory.
The Egyptian scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists to propel the Reds to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title with four games to spare last season.
Salah also scooped the award in the 2017/18 and 2021/22 seasons. The 33-year-old picked up the Football Writers' Association and Premier League player of the year awards in recent months.
Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers won young player the year following a breakthrough campaign that saw the attacking midfielder make his senior international debut for England.
Salah is joined in the 2024/25 PFA Premier League team of the year by Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.
Alexander Isak finished second in last season's golden boot race. Picture: Paul Ellis/AFP
Milos Kerkez, who moved to Anfield from Bournemouth in June, is also selected, as are the Arsenal trio of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice.
Matz Sels and Chris Wood are recognised for their fine campaigns at Nottingham Forest, while Isak is included after finishing second to Salah in the Golden Boot race.
Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey won the women's player of the year accolade after her role in helping the Gunners win the Champions League.
The Spanish midfielder scored 19 goals in all competitions, including eight in the Champions League, in her first season in England.
Olivia Smith recently joined Caldentey at Arsenal in a world-record £1 million ($1.4 million) deal and won the women's young player of the year prize following her superb season at Liverpool.
Originally published as Alexander Isak accuses Newcastle of 'broken promises' in bombshell Instagram story
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Arsenal could hijack Spurs' bid for Palace star Eze
Arsenal are poised to snatch Eberechi Eze from under the noses of arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in what could be one of the most audacious moves of the Premier League's summer transfer window, it was reported Wednesday. Spurs appeared to be on course to bring the 27-year-old Crystal Palace attacking midfielder to their corner of north London. But it is now being suggested Arsenal, amid concerns over a knee injury to Kai Havertz, will scupper the deal and bring England international Eze, released by the Gunners as a 13-year-old, to the Emirates. The Athletic said Arsenal had reached agreement in principle with Palace to sign Eze, with the deal worth in the region of the expired £68 million ($91 million) release clause, matching the level of fee Spurs were prepared to pay. Arsenal's interest increased after Havertz suffered an injury setback. The Germany international came on in the second half of Sunday's victory over Manchester United and completed the game but was absent from Arsenal's open training at the Emirates on Wednesday. Arsenal finished runners-up to Premier League champions Liverpool last season and are expected to challenge for the title again whereas Spurs, who won the Europa League final, ended the campaign in a lowly 17th place -- one spot above the relegation zone. Eze played 84 minutes of the weekend draw at Chelsea and trained on Wednesday ahead of Palace's Conference League play-off at home to Fredrikstad, with coach Oliver Glasner insisting he and Eagles captain Marc Guehi, a target for Liverpool, would both start the European tie. "Before Chelsea, I think many of you were surprised that Marc and Ebs started and played almost the whole game," Glasner told a pre-match press conference earlier Wednesday. "Most of you will be surprised that they will start again tomorrow because of all the rumours. But again, they are committed." Glasner, who also guided Palace to Community Shield glory in a penalty shoot-out win over Liverpool, added: "They are committed to the team, they have a contract here, they played a crucial part that we could be so successful, and they will play a crucial part as long as they are here. "Because they are good, they are committed to the team, and when one of the players leave, which I don't know at the moment, then they want to leave as players who always gave 100 percent for Crystal Palace. "This is what they did since they signed, and this is what we expect from them until the end of their contract, whenever this is." Palace captain Guehi is under contract until next year, while Eze's deal expires in 2027. "This noise, these rumours, it's not just for three days, it's been written for weeks," said Glasner.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Mourinho's last hurdle for Champions League return
José Mourinho and Fenerbahce have been left with a difficult final test in their quest to return to the Champions League, which looks sure to be heading inside the Arctic Circle next month. Fenerbahce drew 0-0 at home against Benfica in the first leg of their qualifying playoff on Wednesday, despite the Portuguese team having a player sent off in the 71st minute. In the north of Norway, Bodo/Glimt's fairytale rise in European soccer continued with a 5-0 rout of Sturm Graz in their playoff first leg. Celtic failed to take home advantage in a 0-0 draw with Kairat Almaty, who host the return game four time zones from Scotland in Kazakhstan next Tuesday. Basel captain Xherdan Shaqiri scored early with a penalty but the Swiss champions were held 1-1 at home by Copenhagen. Seven playoffs will be decided with return games on Tuesday and Wednesday next week with the winners completing the 36-team Champions League lineup. The second-leg games include unheralded Pafos of Cyprus holding a 2-1 lead at home against Red Star Belgrade. The Champions League draw ceremony to find out each team's eight opponents in the single-standings league format will be made on August 28 in Monaco. Fenerbahce have not played for 17 years in the main Champions League, that Mourinho won twice: with Inter Milan in 2010 and Porto in 2004. Mourinho's team dominated the last 20 minutes of play in Istanbul after Benfica midfielder Florentino was sent off for being shown a second yellow card. A video review confirmed an offside call after Fenerbahce forward Youssef En-Nesyri thought he had scored in the 81st.
The Advertiser
21 hours ago
- The Advertiser
A horse stud, a trip to Egypt and selling perfume: Ben Talty's NRL journey
BEN Talty grew up on a horse stud near Denman. He is a life member of the Muswellbrook Rams. The Brisbane Broncos forward is not the type of man you expect to be promoting, let alone selling, Egyptian fragrances. But that's just a small part of rugged Talty's story in what has been a long haul to playing NRL football. Talty toiled away in reserve grade for the best part of eight years. After almost five seasons with his home-town club Newcastle, he moved to North Sydney where he continued chasing his NRL dream for a further three seasons. Plenty of others gave up on their own and pursued other careers, and Talty admits he considered it on numerous occasions. Every Christmas and at other gatherings with extended family or friends, it would be a topic of conversation: 'How's your footy going?' "Good" would be a regular answer, but it wasn't ever "great" because a first-grade debut had still eluded him. That was until Broncos coach Michael Maguire came calling this year. A couple of months ago, Talty was playing for the Bears in NSW Cup. Today, he has five NRL appearances to his name and has become a regular in Brisbane's NRL side. "Around Christmas and everything, they always spoke about it," Talty said of family asking about whether he would make the NRL. "It was always the topic of discussion: 'How's your footy going?'. "To be in this position now, I'm forever grateful for it. "I grew up on a horse stud outside Muswellbrook. My parents always had to take me to [Knights] training. It was a four-hour round trip - Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "So being able to repay them for this, and be in this position and make them proud, is just such an honour to do that." A Rams life-member who also played some junior footy with Denman Devils, Talty will go full circle this week when he returns to Newcastle with Brisbane to face the Knights on Sunday. The 26-year-old, who came right through the Knights' development system, always aspired to debut for the club but left to try and get a crack somewhere else. "I'm certainly looking forward to it," Talty said. "That happens. "I was a Knights junior from when I was 15, and they helped pave the way for this as well. "I have great mates there, I have a lot of close friends at that club as well. I'm looking forward to going down there and [playing] them. "It should be a great experience." Talty is the latest former Knights lower-grade player and Hunter product to begin his NRL career at another club, following in the footsteps of the likes of Canberra forward Zac Hosking and Melbourne back Grant Anderson in making the most of a train-and-trial deal. At Brisbane, Talty has fitted in seamlessly, living with best mate and fellow Muswellbrook junior Fletcher Baker, and Scone-born Jock Madden. Baker is Brisbane's 18th man this week, while Madden, who is returning to Wests Tigers next season, is in the extended match squad. Talty credits the duo, and the likes of Brisbane skipper Pat Carrigan and coach Maguire, for helping him hit the ground running. "You've just got to do the little things right," Talty, who played in the 2018 Newcastle Rugby League grand final for Lakes United, said. "Madge really respects people who have those effort areas off the ball and things like that. "That's what I'm trying to do here, just keep my role simple and work really hard." A seasoned reserve-grade player who is now showing he can match it at NRL level, Talty shapes as a prime recruit for incoming expansion franchise Perth Bears. Given his North Sydney connection, there has already been speculation about him linking with the new side. With his future beyond this season still up in the air, he hasn't ruled out a move west. "All I ever wanted to do was to play first grade, and the Broncos made that come true, so I'm quite content with where I am at currently," Talty said. "But the Bears will always play a deep place in my heart, because they helped build the foundation of where I'm at now." In his long journey to first grade, Talty has also made the most of his time off the field, completing a business degree and launching a fragrance company with Baker called Nefertum. Inspired by a trip to Egypt, it won them the NRL's 'Entrepreneur of the year' award this week. But while the brand might be taking off, regardless of where he ends up, Talty is desperate to ensure he remains in first grade, which is no surprise given how hard he worked, and how long it took, to get there. "I've always had that hunger to play NRL," Talty said. "I chipped away for 26 years. It's really all I wanted to do. I just really wanted to take the opportunity with both hands. "But I can't get too complacent with where I'm at now. I'm still a long way away from where I want to be. "It's a great start, but I'm looking further ahead." BEN Talty grew up on a horse stud near Denman. He is a life member of the Muswellbrook Rams. The Brisbane Broncos forward is not the type of man you expect to be promoting, let alone selling, Egyptian fragrances. But that's just a small part of rugged Talty's story in what has been a long haul to playing NRL football. Talty toiled away in reserve grade for the best part of eight years. After almost five seasons with his home-town club Newcastle, he moved to North Sydney where he continued chasing his NRL dream for a further three seasons. Plenty of others gave up on their own and pursued other careers, and Talty admits he considered it on numerous occasions. Every Christmas and at other gatherings with extended family or friends, it would be a topic of conversation: 'How's your footy going?' "Good" would be a regular answer, but it wasn't ever "great" because a first-grade debut had still eluded him. That was until Broncos coach Michael Maguire came calling this year. A couple of months ago, Talty was playing for the Bears in NSW Cup. Today, he has five NRL appearances to his name and has become a regular in Brisbane's NRL side. "Around Christmas and everything, they always spoke about it," Talty said of family asking about whether he would make the NRL. "It was always the topic of discussion: 'How's your footy going?'. "To be in this position now, I'm forever grateful for it. "I grew up on a horse stud outside Muswellbrook. My parents always had to take me to [Knights] training. It was a four-hour round trip - Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "So being able to repay them for this, and be in this position and make them proud, is just such an honour to do that." A Rams life-member who also played some junior footy with Denman Devils, Talty will go full circle this week when he returns to Newcastle with Brisbane to face the Knights on Sunday. The 26-year-old, who came right through the Knights' development system, always aspired to debut for the club but left to try and get a crack somewhere else. "I'm certainly looking forward to it," Talty said. "That happens. "I was a Knights junior from when I was 15, and they helped pave the way for this as well. "I have great mates there, I have a lot of close friends at that club as well. I'm looking forward to going down there and [playing] them. "It should be a great experience." Talty is the latest former Knights lower-grade player and Hunter product to begin his NRL career at another club, following in the footsteps of the likes of Canberra forward Zac Hosking and Melbourne back Grant Anderson in making the most of a train-and-trial deal. At Brisbane, Talty has fitted in seamlessly, living with best mate and fellow Muswellbrook junior Fletcher Baker, and Scone-born Jock Madden. Baker is Brisbane's 18th man this week, while Madden, who is returning to Wests Tigers next season, is in the extended match squad. Talty credits the duo, and the likes of Brisbane skipper Pat Carrigan and coach Maguire, for helping him hit the ground running. "You've just got to do the little things right," Talty, who played in the 2018 Newcastle Rugby League grand final for Lakes United, said. "Madge really respects people who have those effort areas off the ball and things like that. "That's what I'm trying to do here, just keep my role simple and work really hard." A seasoned reserve-grade player who is now showing he can match it at NRL level, Talty shapes as a prime recruit for incoming expansion franchise Perth Bears. Given his North Sydney connection, there has already been speculation about him linking with the new side. With his future beyond this season still up in the air, he hasn't ruled out a move west. "All I ever wanted to do was to play first grade, and the Broncos made that come true, so I'm quite content with where I am at currently," Talty said. "But the Bears will always play a deep place in my heart, because they helped build the foundation of where I'm at now." In his long journey to first grade, Talty has also made the most of his time off the field, completing a business degree and launching a fragrance company with Baker called Nefertum. Inspired by a trip to Egypt, it won them the NRL's 'Entrepreneur of the year' award this week. But while the brand might be taking off, regardless of where he ends up, Talty is desperate to ensure he remains in first grade, which is no surprise given how hard he worked, and how long it took, to get there. "I've always had that hunger to play NRL," Talty said. "I chipped away for 26 years. It's really all I wanted to do. I just really wanted to take the opportunity with both hands. "But I can't get too complacent with where I'm at now. I'm still a long way away from where I want to be. "It's a great start, but I'm looking further ahead." BEN Talty grew up on a horse stud near Denman. He is a life member of the Muswellbrook Rams. The Brisbane Broncos forward is not the type of man you expect to be promoting, let alone selling, Egyptian fragrances. But that's just a small part of rugged Talty's story in what has been a long haul to playing NRL football. Talty toiled away in reserve grade for the best part of eight years. After almost five seasons with his home-town club Newcastle, he moved to North Sydney where he continued chasing his NRL dream for a further three seasons. Plenty of others gave up on their own and pursued other careers, and Talty admits he considered it on numerous occasions. Every Christmas and at other gatherings with extended family or friends, it would be a topic of conversation: 'How's your footy going?' "Good" would be a regular answer, but it wasn't ever "great" because a first-grade debut had still eluded him. That was until Broncos coach Michael Maguire came calling this year. A couple of months ago, Talty was playing for the Bears in NSW Cup. Today, he has five NRL appearances to his name and has become a regular in Brisbane's NRL side. "Around Christmas and everything, they always spoke about it," Talty said of family asking about whether he would make the NRL. "It was always the topic of discussion: 'How's your footy going?'. "To be in this position now, I'm forever grateful for it. "I grew up on a horse stud outside Muswellbrook. My parents always had to take me to [Knights] training. It was a four-hour round trip - Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "So being able to repay them for this, and be in this position and make them proud, is just such an honour to do that." A Rams life-member who also played some junior footy with Denman Devils, Talty will go full circle this week when he returns to Newcastle with Brisbane to face the Knights on Sunday. The 26-year-old, who came right through the Knights' development system, always aspired to debut for the club but left to try and get a crack somewhere else. "I'm certainly looking forward to it," Talty said. "That happens. "I was a Knights junior from when I was 15, and they helped pave the way for this as well. "I have great mates there, I have a lot of close friends at that club as well. I'm looking forward to going down there and [playing] them. "It should be a great experience." Talty is the latest former Knights lower-grade player and Hunter product to begin his NRL career at another club, following in the footsteps of the likes of Canberra forward Zac Hosking and Melbourne back Grant Anderson in making the most of a train-and-trial deal. At Brisbane, Talty has fitted in seamlessly, living with best mate and fellow Muswellbrook junior Fletcher Baker, and Scone-born Jock Madden. Baker is Brisbane's 18th man this week, while Madden, who is returning to Wests Tigers next season, is in the extended match squad. Talty credits the duo, and the likes of Brisbane skipper Pat Carrigan and coach Maguire, for helping him hit the ground running. "You've just got to do the little things right," Talty, who played in the 2018 Newcastle Rugby League grand final for Lakes United, said. "Madge really respects people who have those effort areas off the ball and things like that. "That's what I'm trying to do here, just keep my role simple and work really hard." A seasoned reserve-grade player who is now showing he can match it at NRL level, Talty shapes as a prime recruit for incoming expansion franchise Perth Bears. Given his North Sydney connection, there has already been speculation about him linking with the new side. With his future beyond this season still up in the air, he hasn't ruled out a move west. "All I ever wanted to do was to play first grade, and the Broncos made that come true, so I'm quite content with where I am at currently," Talty said. "But the Bears will always play a deep place in my heart, because they helped build the foundation of where I'm at now." In his long journey to first grade, Talty has also made the most of his time off the field, completing a business degree and launching a fragrance company with Baker called Nefertum. Inspired by a trip to Egypt, it won them the NRL's 'Entrepreneur of the year' award this week. But while the brand might be taking off, regardless of where he ends up, Talty is desperate to ensure he remains in first grade, which is no surprise given how hard he worked, and how long it took, to get there. "I've always had that hunger to play NRL," Talty said. "I chipped away for 26 years. It's really all I wanted to do. I just really wanted to take the opportunity with both hands. "But I can't get too complacent with where I'm at now. I'm still a long way away from where I want to be. "It's a great start, but I'm looking further ahead." BEN Talty grew up on a horse stud near Denman. He is a life member of the Muswellbrook Rams. The Brisbane Broncos forward is not the type of man you expect to be promoting, let alone selling, Egyptian fragrances. But that's just a small part of rugged Talty's story in what has been a long haul to playing NRL football. Talty toiled away in reserve grade for the best part of eight years. After almost five seasons with his home-town club Newcastle, he moved to North Sydney where he continued chasing his NRL dream for a further three seasons. Plenty of others gave up on their own and pursued other careers, and Talty admits he considered it on numerous occasions. Every Christmas and at other gatherings with extended family or friends, it would be a topic of conversation: 'How's your footy going?' "Good" would be a regular answer, but it wasn't ever "great" because a first-grade debut had still eluded him. That was until Broncos coach Michael Maguire came calling this year. A couple of months ago, Talty was playing for the Bears in NSW Cup. Today, he has five NRL appearances to his name and has become a regular in Brisbane's NRL side. "Around Christmas and everything, they always spoke about it," Talty said of family asking about whether he would make the NRL. "It was always the topic of discussion: 'How's your footy going?'. "To be in this position now, I'm forever grateful for it. "I grew up on a horse stud outside Muswellbrook. My parents always had to take me to [Knights] training. It was a four-hour round trip - Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "So being able to repay them for this, and be in this position and make them proud, is just such an honour to do that." A Rams life-member who also played some junior footy with Denman Devils, Talty will go full circle this week when he returns to Newcastle with Brisbane to face the Knights on Sunday. The 26-year-old, who came right through the Knights' development system, always aspired to debut for the club but left to try and get a crack somewhere else. "I'm certainly looking forward to it," Talty said. "That happens. "I was a Knights junior from when I was 15, and they helped pave the way for this as well. "I have great mates there, I have a lot of close friends at that club as well. I'm looking forward to going down there and [playing] them. "It should be a great experience." Talty is the latest former Knights lower-grade player and Hunter product to begin his NRL career at another club, following in the footsteps of the likes of Canberra forward Zac Hosking and Melbourne back Grant Anderson in making the most of a train-and-trial deal. At Brisbane, Talty has fitted in seamlessly, living with best mate and fellow Muswellbrook junior Fletcher Baker, and Scone-born Jock Madden. Baker is Brisbane's 18th man this week, while Madden, who is returning to Wests Tigers next season, is in the extended match squad. Talty credits the duo, and the likes of Brisbane skipper Pat Carrigan and coach Maguire, for helping him hit the ground running. "You've just got to do the little things right," Talty, who played in the 2018 Newcastle Rugby League grand final for Lakes United, said. "Madge really respects people who have those effort areas off the ball and things like that. "That's what I'm trying to do here, just keep my role simple and work really hard." A seasoned reserve-grade player who is now showing he can match it at NRL level, Talty shapes as a prime recruit for incoming expansion franchise Perth Bears. Given his North Sydney connection, there has already been speculation about him linking with the new side. With his future beyond this season still up in the air, he hasn't ruled out a move west. "All I ever wanted to do was to play first grade, and the Broncos made that come true, so I'm quite content with where I am at currently," Talty said. "But the Bears will always play a deep place in my heart, because they helped build the foundation of where I'm at now." In his long journey to first grade, Talty has also made the most of his time off the field, completing a business degree and launching a fragrance company with Baker called Nefertum. Inspired by a trip to Egypt, it won them the NRL's 'Entrepreneur of the year' award this week. But while the brand might be taking off, regardless of where he ends up, Talty is desperate to ensure he remains in first grade, which is no surprise given how hard he worked, and how long it took, to get there. "I've always had that hunger to play NRL," Talty said. "I chipped away for 26 years. It's really all I wanted to do. I just really wanted to take the opportunity with both hands. "But I can't get too complacent with where I'm at now. I'm still a long way away from where I want to be. "It's a great start, but I'm looking further ahead."
