The saga surrounding Alexander Isak’s transfer from Newcastle to Liverpool may not be as clear-cut as it first appeared. While fans raged over the Swedish striker’s stance during the summer, messages from two of his Magpies teammates — Anthony Gordon and Sven Botman — have opened up fresh debate.Isak’s desire to swap St. James’ Park for Anfield dominated headlines throughout the transfer window. He missed Newcastle’s opening league matches, trained separately from the main squad, and ultimately got his wish on deadline day, sealing a British record £125m move to Liverpool.But it wasn’t the fee or the manner of his exit that sparked fresh controversy — it was the reaction of his teammates.Botman shared a heartfelt farewell on Instagram, describing Isak as one of his “rare best friendships,” while Gordon echoed similar sentiments, insisting it had been a “pleasure” to play alongside him despite the turmoil.Those posts split Newcastle’s fanbase, with many supporters questioning why current players would show such public loyalty to someone they felt had forced his way out. Some even accused Gordon and Botman of disrespecting the club’s supporters.Pundits Simon Jordan and Danny Murphy, however, believe the story may run deeper. Speaking on talkSPORT, both suggested the players’ support hinted that the reality inside the dressing room was very different from the one painted publicly.Jordan speculated that Gordon and Botman might have felt Isak did nothing wrong, or that he was unfairly judged by outsiders:> “Maybe all the hysteria outside doesn’t reflect what they know behind the scenes — which is often the case.”Murphy added that Eddie Howe had never confirmed claims that Isak refused to play, leaving open the possibility that fans never had the full picture.For Newcastle’s faithful, it’s another reminder that while they demand players show the same passion for the badge as supporters do, the realities of modern football rarely align. Gordon and Botman likely knew they’d face backlash for their posts — and yet, they pressed send anyway.Whether their messages were simply gestures of friendship or subtle hints of a bigger truth, one thing is clear: the fallout from Isak’s blockbuster exit will linger long after he pulls on Liverpool red.