Yasir Al-Rumayyan's favourite player is Newcastle United goal machine Alexander Isak - who is wanted, and wants to go to, Liverpool, tonight’s opponents.placeholder image
Yasir Al-Rumayyan's favourite player is Newcastle United goal machine Alexander Isak - who is wanted, and wants to go to, Liverpool, tonight’s opponents. | Getty Images, Liverpool FC, Newcastle United
Newcastle United take on Liverpool in the Premier League tonight - and Yasir Al-Rumayyan has flown in to watch it.
Newcastle United v Liverpool is usually a big occasion. The Carabao Cup final was core memory stuff for anyone of black and white persuasion, while clashes in the Premier League down the years have always stoked emotion, goals and energy.
This one, however, is different - and feels even more like the place to be. St James’ Park feels like the centre of world football tonight as Eddie Howe and Arne Slot’s sides go head-to-head for three Premier League points. That’s all it is, but it’s really so, so much more. And a lot of that is down to one man - you all know his name, Alexander Isak.
The trials and tribulations of an, at times, challenging summer, were thrown into absolute disarray when Isak made it clear, by going on strike, he would play no part for NUFC until they sanctioned a move to Anfield. Just a week out from the transfer window ending, despite lots of toys out of pram stuff from the Swede’s camp, he remains a Magpies’ player - and might well do all season.
Big decisions must be made on the player’s future, as well as the Magpies’ transfer business in the coming days, and what better person to be in town to make those calls, than chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan in action on the pitch after the UEFA Champions League match between Newcastle United FC and Paris Saint-Germain at St. James Park on October 04, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.placeholder image
Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan in action on the pitch after the UEFA Champions League match between Newcastle United FC and Paris Saint-Germain at St. James Park on October 04, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. | Getty Images
PIF make NUFC decision - ahead of Liverpool
PIF and Al-Rumayyan’s call to be on Tyneside feels significant - but what does it really mean?
In truth, without actually being privy to his diary, it is impossible to know. We know he will frequent Matfen Hall, like he always does, and be in the directors’ box at the game itself. However, beyond that is a mystery, although some common sense assumptions can be made.
With just days to run on the window, it is undoubted that some huge transfer calls at meetings will be made, with leadership and decision-makers on the ground.
Key decisions on how much NUFC will spend in the final week of the window - with a striker a must - as well as the future of Isak are almost certain to be addressed.
And while YAR’s attendance doesn’t always guarantee results - he was at the Everton defeat last time out at home before delivering the bullet to Paul Mitchell - he was a welcome mascot at Wembley the last time these two met, as Newcastle ended their 70-year domestic trophy drought with a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Wembley in March.
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