'I'll tell you a secret' - Rafael Benitez gives verdict on Alexander Isak move as Michael Owen calls transfer 'a flex'

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Rafael Benitez has given his verdict on Alexander Isak's move to Liverpool as Reds legend Michael Owen called the transfer "a flex". The Spanish manager has revealed that his sources in Newcastle have already admitted they miss the Swedish striker. Isak is yet to make a Premier League appearance for his new club, but they have still managed to record four wins from four fixtures.

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Rafael Benítez says his sources at Newcastle United have admitted they miss Alexander Isak following the striker's controversial transfer to Premier League champions Liverpool.

The Swedish star joined The Reds on deadline day for a reported British record transfer fee of £125 million after an intense summer-long transfer saga.

Isak was criticised by Magpies fans after releasing a statement declaring that his relationship with the club could not continue last month.

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Benítez enjoyed successful spells as manager of both Liverpool and Newcastle, and he insists that his contacts in the North East still miss their former star.

"I will tell you a secret, talking to Newcastle United people, they are missing him," said the UEFA Champions League-winning coach on TNT Sports.

"He was doing so well, he was adapting to the style, to the game.

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"He is clever with his movements; he can play in the middle or he can go wide.

"He runs in behind and he can dribble.

"So I think it will be a great signing for Liverpool and a big miss for Newcastle United."

Isak is yet to make a Premier League appearance for his new club, but that has not stopped Arne Slot’s side.

They have recorded four wins from four in the Premier League and are currently top of the table.

Former Liverpool star Steve McManaman expects Isak to be rusty as he attempts to fit into his new side’s star-studded forward line.

"You expect him to be nervous, you expect him to have the butterflies, that is natural," he said. "But he has to go out and try to adapt to his teammates.

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"I expect him to be rusty; I don’t expect him to be at his best yet.

"The main thing is to get minutes under his belt, to stay fit and to improve every time he steps out on this pitch. Every minute he plays, with this group of players, he should get better and better and better.

"His talent is undisputed; we know how good he is, but being a number nine at Liverpool football club is hard."

Hugo Ekitike joined from Eintracht Frankfurt, and Florian Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen as Liverpool rebuilt their attack over the summer.

TNT Sports expert Michael Owen believes that adding Isak into the mix was a "flex" from his former side.

"It’s a flex, isn’t it [adding Isak to the Liverpool squad]," said the Liverpool legend. "It’s a real show of power and strength.

"It is a great team anyway, they had lost a lot of players, a couple of them by choice, one or two not by choice.

"I am pretty sure they are very pleased with the squad that they have put together, but it is going to take a bit of time to gel.

"I think we have seen that in the first few games."

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