· 25 August 2025, 12:30
**Liverpool's Fabrizio Romano has been stoking the fires yet again ahead of tonight's Sky Live clash under the lights at St James' Park when the Reds will take on Newcastle United.**
Eddie Howe has to prepare for this game without a recognised striker in the starting XI, unless Will Osula has done something amazing in training this week, that is.
Alexander Isak would obviously be Howe's preferred choice to lead the line, but even if the want-away striker had climbed down from his high horse and returned to training, tonight's game wouldn't be the one to throw him back into the line-up.
Newcastle are now more adamant than ever that Isak will not leave the club this summer after the striker issued a statement on Tuesday night.
Fabrizio Romano has had to have his say again ahead of tonight's game
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However, Fabrizio Romano, who has driven the Isak to Liverpool narrative harder than anyone this summer, has had one last prod ahead of the game tonight on his YouTube channel.
> "It's going to be an important moment because it's going to close this story between Newcastle and Liverpool, and then from Tuesday, we will understand more. "Newcastle hope internally that this week, after the game, Alexander Isak can return to training. They want to convince Isak to be back after the game on Monday. Liverpool remains in the same position. They want Isak; they will attack for Isak, but it depends on Newcastle. This story completely depends on Newcastle.
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> "Isak wants to go to Liverpool. Isak wants to play for Liverpool. Liverpool wants to go for Isak. Liverpool is prepared to pay. But Newcastle are the ones who decide, and they will try their best to keep him."
The chances of Alexander Isak leaving before next week's deadline are minute
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There remain two big conditions that must be met before an exit will be granted and that's Newcastle must bring in two strikers, one of which is deemed to be a worthy successor to Isak, and the other is Liverpool (or whomever) must come in with a bid that the club deems acceptable, somewhere between £130 million and £150 million depending on the source.
Newcastle haven't even managed to bring in one striker to replace Callum Wilson, so the chances of finding one of a suitable quality to replace Isak before next week's deadline are minuscule.
Liverpool probably will try again with another bid after tonight's game is out of the way, but without those strikers in place, it won't even be entertained.