By Keira Lucock
Liverpool may have finally got their man when they landed Alexander Isak late on deadline day after a prolonged summer saga, but the lack of pre-season, back and forth with Newcastle United, statements and responses made the whole ordeal one to forget for most involved.
We’ve spoken to former Sweden international and AIK captain, Nils-Eric Johansson, who expresses his fond memories with the new record-breaking deal of £125m Liverpool striker, Alexander Isak and shares his perspective on the popular move.
HUGE LIVERPOOL x ADIDAS 3RD KIT AND CLOTHING UNBOXING!!!
Dan Clubbe got the latest on what makes Isak unique in the words of the former Bayern Munich, AIK and Leicester defender…
He said: “Isak was very special in his touch. He linked up well. He was never stressed on the ball. He had ideas before he got the ball.”
The former captain declares what the little things were that enabled Isak to stand out in a positive light. At only 16, Isak was bright with his form and portrayed his hunger for the game distinctively.
Touching on how focused Isak was and still is, Johansen shares what it is that makes the striker a perfect piece to complete the Liverpool squad: “He’s the striker who wants a lot of the ball. He wants to create things, and he wants to be involved in a lot of football. Obviously, when he combines that with scoring goals, it’s perfect. He seemed to be a very simple guy who just loved playing football. He stood out with his touch and his way of not being stressed. I have to say… his maturity in playing football.”
Media sources were bringing questions to light about Isak’s loyalties and attitude towards his former team, Newcastle. Johansen made his thoughts on this as vocal as he could when he expressed his puzzlement on how the media have portrayed Isak in his situation: “Yeah, I don’t like that thing at all… if they want to leave and if they want to go, they kind of make that happen. It is unbelievable that we have a Swedish guy who can do it. I don’t see Isak as a bad guy. I don’t like how it’s happened. I’m not a fan of that whole thing. It’s a bit sad, I see him as a lovely kid still, you know, a young guy, always a big smiley face.”
Despite being a man who can make his own decisions in his career, with the heart-wrenching departure from Newcastle that unfolded a few weeks ago, Johansson speaks his true thoughts….“I didn’t think it’s 100% him. I think it’s the whole business around that thing with agencies. I don’t want them to hate him and, you know, feel that’s not the point of football… it should be dealt a little bit better.”
Dan also got Johansen’s thoughts on the growth and vast improvement of Isak. Did he expect him to be in this position? Did he ever think for a second he would watch Isak play for the champions of England? “I wouldn’t say, ‘Oh this guy is going to end up playing for Liverpool’.’’
Spending time with Isak as his captain at AIK, Johansson reveals just what it was like to be alongside Liverpool’s new golden boy: “He was 16, he comes up, he stands out for being young, and you know, keep his head up in a possession game, because that’s where they most likely get flustered and lose the ball a lot, they’re like the weakest chain. But he wasn’t.”
Going back to the way specific situations have been handled, Johansen makes it aware that, as a football fan, it isn’t an ideal thing to happen: “I don’t even know the whole truth. I don’t like it in the end. I don’t like these situations where clubs are forced. I understand it. I don’t like it.”
Now that Anfield is the new home and welcomes Alexander Isak with open arms and exciting plans, Johansson responded to how he feels to see Isak in a Liverpool shirt: “Yeah, I do like Liverpool. We always had a great couple of great Sundays in Liverpool. So, I feel closer, that’s why it’s nice to follow them. And, now to follow Liverpool.”
