LIVERPOOL may have got their hands on the Premier League trophy on Sunday afternoon, but their fans are convinced they also lost out on one of their biggest transfer targets – Alexander Isak.
Reds supporters reckon that it was Manchester United that cost them the chance to snatch Isak away from Newcastle in the summer.
Liverpool are in the market for a new striker during the summer window as they look to bolster their front line.
And Isak is one of the top targets for the Anfield outfit – and many other sides – given his superb form in the Premier League this season for the Magpies.
But it looks like an exit from St James’ Park could be unlikely after Eddie Howe’s side secured a fifth placed finish in the Prem, meaning they will play in the Champions League next term.
Reports had claimed that Isak could leave Newcastle if they hadn’t returned to Europe’s top table, but their qualification now means that he is more likely to stay put with the Toon Army.
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And Liverpool fans were devastated, having been close to seeing Newcastle miss out as they fell to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Everton.
But they didn’t need to win, with Aston Villa losing 2-0 to Manchester United meaning Newcastle still managed to qualify for the Champions League.
And when Liverpool supporters realised they had lost out on their main target thanks to rivals Man Utd, they immediately took to social media to express their displeasure.
One wrote: “That Man Utd goal may have just stopped Isak from moving to Liverpool”.
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While another added: “No chance of Isak for us now then”.
A third commented: “Newcastle in UCL means no chance of Liverpool getting Isak!!”
And a fourth posted: “PGMOL have robbed Liverpool of Isak ffs”.
It could have been a very different outcome too, if not for a huge VAR decision that meant Man Utd were handed a lifeline against Villa.
Morgan Rogers had seemingly put Villa ahead in the second half when he nicked the ball away from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir following Harry Maguire’s loose header.
But referee Thomas Bramall had blown for a foul by Rogers on Bayindir, only for replays to show the United stopper never had full control of the ball and the goal should therefore have stood.
However, due to the official having already blown his whistle for a free-kick, VAR were unable to overturn the decision – Villa’s goal was calked off and United went on to bag two goals and win the match 2-0.
Reports have since claimed that Aston Villa are considering launching an official complaint over the experience of referee Bramall, who has taken charge of just 11 Prem games this season.
Goals from Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen were the difference for the Red Devils who, despite earning three points, still finished in 15th place in the Premier League.
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Liverpool may have to say goodbye to their chances of signing Isak, but can take comfort in some of the other names seemingly bound for Anfield next season.
Top-rated goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will arrive following his agreement last summer, while Bayer Leverkusen superstars Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz appear to be on the brink of making a switch to Merseyside.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
