Virgil van Dijk sends message to Alexander Isak after explosive Liverpool transfer statement

Virgil van Dijk insists Alexander Isak is one of the toughest opponents to come up against as Liverpool continue to eye the Newcastle frontman - who has given an explosive statement on his situation .

The Swede is looking to force his exit from St. James' Park and has made it clear he won't play for the club again. That would be a major blow for the Magpies with Isak crucial to their recent success.

He scored against Van Dijk and Liverpool as Newcastle claimed Carabao Cup success last year - their first domestic trophy in 70 years. Isak also notched in a Premier League draw with the Reds, meaning he has found the net four times against the Merseysiders in six outings.

And that quality has not gone unnoticed by Van Dijk, who was quizzed on the most difficult strikers he's had to combat in the Premier League. Whether he was giving Isak a deliberate compliment or not is unclear, but he put the Swede in the top bracket.

He told Cecil Thomas on a TikTok live stream: "[Erling] Haaland, Isak, [Ollie] Watkins, Harry Kane . Speaking about the last couple of years in the Premier League, there are plenty. Everybody has a different challenge so I respect everyone playing in the Premier League because it's the hardest league in the world ."

Isak was not present at the PFA Awards in Manchester, but was named in the Premier League Team of the Year, as voted for by his fellow peers after a stellar season for Newcastle. Only Mohamed Salah outscored him, but the Swede took Tuesday night as the opportunity to break his silence.

The striker said: "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."

Newcastle have already rejected a bid from Liverpool in the region of £110million and are demanding a far higher fee. That said they've maintained their star man won't be sold. Isak is thought to be angered after a promise to look at his contract was u-turned on and now he's demanding that he's allowed to leave.

He claimed: "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.”

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