Newcastle received plenty of praise for their approach to Monday’s dramatic defeat to Liverpool, but they remain winless in the Premier League after two games.
A draw away at Aston Villa was by no means a poor result, while it took a 99th minute winner for Liverpool despite Anthony Gordon’s first half red card for Newcastle on Monday.
The solitary point has Newcastle 15th after two games, while the future of Alexander Isak is still unresolved amid interest from Liverpool.
Alexander Isak in action during a Premier League clash between Newcastle and Ipswich
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
With Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham leading the way after the opening two games of the season, the Premier League top goalscorer Alan Shearer was asked to predict the final rankings of each side – changing his pre-season predictions from only two weeks ago.
Alan Shearer drops Newcastle finish in final Premier League table after winless start
At the start of the season, Shearer made his predicted Premier League table which placed Liverpool as champions and had the three promoted clubs – Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland – to all go straight back down.
In the Champions League places, Shearer initially selected Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea, with his beloved Newcastle in fifth.
Now, however, he has dropped Newcastle down a place to sixth, putting them in a potential Europa League battle rather than a fight for Champions League football.
Shearer did not elaborate on his choice, where he was asked to ‘blind rank’ each team, but perhaps it reflects their slow start and ongoing striker issues.
Newcastle still want a new striker before transfer deadline after Jorgen Strand Larsen bid
Talks took place this week with Alexander Isak to attempt to resolve the ongoing standoff between the striker and Newcastle. The club insist he will be welcomed back to the squad if he stays, however supporters made clear they have not been impressed with his tactics as he tries to leave.
Newcastle United v Aston Villa - Premier League
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Newcastle have seen a £50m bid for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen rejected, while they remain in the hunt to sign Brentford forward Yoane Wissa.
As it stands, William Osula is their only recognised forward as Isak’s absence continues. Anthony Gordon started centrally against Liverpool but his red card will see him miss the next three fixtures.
That leaves Eddie Howe with a selection headache for the trip to Leeds this weekend, and reinforces the need to sign a new striker ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.