Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has revealed a surprising allegiance to Newcastle United, naming them his second club in the Premier League. During a conversation with TNT Sports, Gerrard covered numerous subjects, reminiscing about his most cherished Anfield moments and the most formidable rivals he encountered there.
Among his stops during a tour of Anfield was the away dressing room, where he disclosed his affection for Newcastle. “I’m surprised I’m welcome in here, to be honest,” the former captain joked. “It’s quite fitting actually because outside of Liverpool, if I wanted anyone to win the league, it would be Newcastle. They’re my number two team in the Premier League. I’ve never, ever said that [before], but there you go. That’s live for you.”
Gerrard’s remarks will certainly cause a surprise. They come months after a transfer dispute between Liverpool and Newcastle last summer around Alexander Isak.
Isak’s future became the subject of intense speculation towards the end of last season, with the striker ultimately seeking a move to the Premier League champions.
The situation proved far from simple and rapidly became acrimonious. Isak was originally excluded from Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia, with Liverpool’s £110million offer subsequently rebuffed.
The Swede had informed the club of his desire to depart, leading him to train separately and miss Newcastle’s league curtain-raiser against Aston Villa. He subsequently issued a bombshell statement, announcing that ‘promises have been broken’ and ‘trust has been lost’ between player and club.
Newcastle were receptive to his exit and began examining the terms of a potential sale, recruiting two replacements and securing an acceptable fee, with Liverpool in active discussions.
Following months of speculation and stalled talks, Isak finalised a record-breaking £125m transfer to Liverpool on deadline day (September 2), establishing himself as the most expensive acquisition in Anfield’s history.
Nevertheless, the club are yet to witness the player they invested substantial funds in, with the Swede battling injuries since his Merseyside arrival. The 26-year-old fractured his tibia in December following a challenge from Spurs’ Micky van de Ven, requiring surgery for an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture.
Writing on Instagram at the time, Isak shared: “Gutted to be out for a whilst. Time to recover and support from the sideline. I will work hard to be back as soon as I possibly can. Thank you all reds and everyone else for the kind messages, it does not go unnoticed.”
He appears to be nearing his return next month, having been seen training solo ahead of their Champions League second-leg clash with Galatasaray, where Arne Slot‘s team are 1-0 down.