Alexander Isak braced for red-hot reception as Liverpool star returns to Newcastle for the first time

Andoni Iraola has said Liverpool forward Alexander Isak will be full of motivation ahead of his first return to Newcastle United.

Isak will return to St James' Park on Sunday for the first time since leaving Newcastle for Liverpool last summer.

The Swedish striker is expected to receive a red-hot reception from the home crowd, who were unhappy with the forward's push for a move to Anfield last summer.

Isak eventually completed his £125m British record move on deadline day, following a summer in which he refused to rejoin Newcastle for pre-season.

Isak struggled to make an impression during a difficult debut season with the Reds, with a lack of pre-season and serious mid-campaign injury restricting his impact.

Ahead of the Premier League opener against his old side, Liverpool boss Iraola said the 26-year-old will be motivated to make his mark as he looks to ignite his career on Merseyside.

"It's always special when you play against your old team in their stadium. In the same way when I go back to play against Bournemouth, you always want to do well in the Premier League," he said at his pre-match press conference.

"The first game of the season everyone is going to be very motivated and I think it's going to be the same for Alex."

Isak will hope to shoulder the responsibility for goals, following the exit of Mohamed Salah. Salah was one of several senior names to depart Liverpool at the end of last season, alongside Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate. Despite that, Iraola is confident he has enough leaders in his squad.

"We lost a lot in terms of experience, high-level players who have performed so well for so many years here - but I think it is also a natural thing in clubs.

"I think we have a lot of young players wiling to take those minutes and ready to take those leadership roles. Overall, I am very happy with the attitude of the players in the pre-season.

"Pre-season is always easier for the manager because there are less complaints about minutes, being out of the squad and other things - but still I think everyone has been very ready to understand what we demand from them and I'm happy with the feeling I have with this group of players."