· 25 August 2025, 11:30
**The rift between Newcastle United and Liverpool fans is growing with each passing day, as each fan base loudly voices its take on the Alexander Isak situation.**
It has gone beyond banter now, and it is developing into a genuine war of words on social media. It's all going to come to a head inside St James' Park tonight as the two teams meet under the lights and in front of the Sky Sports cameras at 8pm.
The atmosphere is expected to be something else amid the backdrop of Alexander Isak's desperate attempts to force a move to the Premier League champions.
Meanwhile, the managers are trying to remain calm with Eddie Howe doing his level best to deflect all Isak-based questions, while Arne Slot has now told the media that Eddie Howe is the only Premier League manager he texts regularly.
Arne Slot has a lot of time for Eddie Howe
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Arne Slot has nothing but good things to say about Eddie Howe ahead of tonight's grudge match.
> “In general, I have sympathy for Eddie Howe because he is a great human being. It’s maybe not a coincidence that I’ve texted with him because I think he’s a very nice, honest and polite colleague.”“To a certain extent, because I like him as a manager and as a person. It’s not like we are friends and we are going to go on holiday together. You are asking me these questions because of Isak, of course.
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> “I added to that by saying we exchanged messages, the only manager I’ve exchanged messages with in the Premier League until now. I do speak to other managers after games. Maybe there’s a reason for that because my sports director has his number. Maybe he doesn’t have all the numbers of all the other managers.”
The excitement is growing
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We're sure that the blossoming friendship will be put on hold for a couple of hours tonight when the two sides go to war.
As for the two sets of supporters, we can't imagine there's going to be even a moment of silence when that first whistle blows tonight.
If the game can match the atmosphere, it's going to be one hell of a night.