Alexander Isak is out with injury(Image: Getty Images)

Alexander Isak's summer standoff with Newcastle United is reportedly affecting Liverpool as the Swedish striker works to regain full fitness.

Isak's transfer from Newcastle to Liverpool dominated headlines during the summer window. The 26-year-old declined to feature for the Magpies, claiming Eddie Howe's team had made "broken promises" in a social media statement.

Having skipped pre-season preparations and the campaign's opening fixtures, Liverpool eventually paid £125m for a player lacking the conditioning to complete 90 minutes at the season's start.

Following eight outings for the Reds, Isak was omitted from Liverpool's squad for their encounter with Brentford owing to a groin problem.

BBC Sport's Chris Sutton reckons this stems from the forward's choice to down tools during his final period at Newcastle.

He wrote: "It feels like what has happened to him is a case of you reap what you sow. Isak has been short of full fitness and especially sharpness all season anyway, and he did not help himself there by missing training with Newcastle in order to try to force his move to Anfield...