Colin Sheridan: Alexander Isak has been cast as a villain for simply speaking up

Ambition has become a crime in the absurd world of professional football.

So raise a sardonic toast - to Alexander Isak, the villain of this transfer window - and to football, the only realm where a state-owned football club refusing its best player an exit he's earned, emerge as the good guys. Pic: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

Newcastle United, the Saudi Housewives' favourite of football clubs, welcome champions Liverpool to St James Park tonight in a match - whose build-up at least - will be dominated much more by players absent than present. 

That is because the Magpies' star-striker, Alexander Isak, is being framed as some sort of nefarious malcontent for wanting to be treated like an adult with agency. Yes, he dared to stand up to his not-quite-benevolent benefactors at Newcastle United, and the crime? Asking to be sold to Liverpool after alleged assurances. This is not fiction; this is our beautiful, tragically absurd game.