**Liverpool and Newcastle United are set to go head to head at St. James’ Park on Monday night and Paul Merson has predicted it to be the “spiciest game of the season.”**
Arne Slot and his Reds beat Bournemouth 4-2 in the opening game of the Premier League season while Newcastle United played out a goalless draw with Aston Villa in Isak’s absence.
The Swede has refused to reintegrate with the Newcastle squad and took the nuclear option when he made a public statement on Instagram on Wednesday evening.
Now, signing Isak depends on Newcastle making two new attacking signings and Liverpool submitting a £130m+ bid.
On Monday, however, anything could happen.
Liverpool should be prepared for anything on Monday at St. James’ Park because Newcastle will want to send a message
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Monday evening represents a chance for Newcastle to show Liverpool how much this saga has angered them but the Reds will welcome the challenge.
Paul Merson has predicted a four-goal show and expects the atmosphere inside St. James’ Park to reach fever pitch.
_“Thanks to Alexander Isak, this has become the spiciest game of the season!”_ Merson said.
_“It’s a massive acid test for Liverpool at St James’ Park. I was impressed with Newcastle against Villa last weekend. Sandro Tonali was different class and if they had a proper centre-forward, they would have won that game easily. I suppose that’s why the fans are so angry with Isak, Newcastle are not a bad team anymore!”_
Merson added: _“It will be an insane atmosphere on Monday night, no doubt about it. This is a hard test for Liverpool against Newcastle’s midfield. Liverpool made it an end-to-end game against Bournemouth because they knew it suits them. Even though they conceded twice in that game, they still scored four goals. But if Newcastle can keep things tight and be solid in midfield, which I think they will, it won’t be easy for Liverpool._
_“Arne Slot’s men are always going to be a bit open on the right side because of Jeremie Frimpong’s attacking nature. Teams are going to work out how to get around that side and that will be a worry for Liverpool. Harvey Barnes could enjoy a lot of freedom on that flank here. I think Anthony Gordon will once again start centrally, even though it doesn’t suit him completely. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a quality player and has troubled Liverpool in the past. But I just think it’s best when he comes inside from a wider position._
_“I believe Newcastle can cause problems to Liverpool. This should be an entertaining watch, won’t want to miss it for anything in the world!”_