Liverpool boss Arne Slot. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Liverpool boss Arne Slot. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United host Liverpool in their first Premier League home match of the season on Monday night.
Isak is the reason why the visit of Liverpool to St James’ Park on Monday night (kick-off 8pm) is expected to be a feisty and hot-tempered affair.
The Sweden international wants to join the Premier League champions and earlier this week went public with his desire to leave Newcastle after accusing the club of breaking promises.
In a bombshell statement, Isak wrote: "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."
Newcastle have strenuously denied that they told Isak he could leave. As it stands, he will remain on Tyneside after the club said they “do not foresee” the conditions of a sale being met.
The 25-year-old is refusing to train or play with Eddie Howe’s team, having turned down chances to reintegrate. As a result, Anthony Gordon is again expected to play as a makeshift striker against the Reds.
Arne Slot talks about Newcastle United without Alexander Isak
Speaking ahead of the game, Slot has shut down the suggestion that Newcastle are a club with troubles, highlighting the St James’ Park atmosphere and the players as a dangerous combination.
Slot said: “No, I don't think they're a club with troubles. They had a very good start to the season against Villa, a good game for them. I think they were unlucky not to get more out of the game.
“It's mainly difficult because of the players they're having there, not only because of the fans, but the atmosphere is great, like it is at Anfield, so we're used to a certain environment, but St James' Park, if I just remember last season, when it was an evening game by the way as well, the atmosphere was amazing and it will be the same.
“But why is the atmosphere amazing? Because the players can perform, they can add to the atmosphere by being as intense as they were, bringing the quality as they brought in that game. So that's going to be the challenge.
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“The challenge is of course also playing in a stadium where the fans will be there for the home team, and that always helps every home team.
“I can tell you about us, the last 15 to 20 minutes at Anfield, it wasn't a coincidence that we scored twice, because the fans helped us in that moment of time. But if you only have fans and you don't have the players, then you can forget it.
“So the main thing we have to be ready for are their midfielders, their last line, their three forwards, and although I assume, I'm not sure, but I assume Isak is not playing from what I read in the media, but they still have Anthony Gordon as a nine, they still have Elanga has a right winger and Barnes from the left and then Jacob Murphy isn't even playing, who was very good against us twice last season.
“So this is the Premier League, we all have a lot of options, and Newcastle have them as well.”
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