Newcastle United’s first home game of the new Premier League season is a bank holiday match against champions Liverpool. The tension has been building up due to the Alexander Isak saga, where the Swedish striker claims “promises” have been “broken” by his current club. Liverpool have had a £110m bid rejected, and the situation has added spice to the occasion.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is aware of the heat surrounding Isak’s situation. He urged his team to focus on their performance rather than getting emotional about it. The coach believes that the energy from the crowd will be vital for Newcastle, who have only lost a dozen top-flight fixtures at home since he took charge in 2021.
The fan group Wor Flags has planned a pre-match display to set the tone for the game. However, they face difficulties due to Isak’s wish to join Liverpool clear. The group aims to create a unified message but is divided on how to approach the situation.
This match feels “absolutely huge” for Newcastle, with six wins, two draws, and no losses in eight league and cup home games against their rivals last season. Hugo Ekitike’s first visit to St James’ Park adds another layer of excitement, as he is a player who Newcastle manager Eddie Howe knows well.
Ekitike was tracked by Newcastle for three-and-a-half years before the 23-year-old joined Liverpool in August. Newcastle attempted to sign him on three separate occasions, with former Brighton manager Oscar Garcia describing him as “tall, fast, mobile” and “very good one against one”.
With Isak running out of time, Newcastle are facing a challenge to recruit a centre-forward before the transfer window closes. The situation has added uncertainty to the game, but Liverpool manager Arne Slot believes that his team knows what to expect from Newcastle’s intensity levels.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cgerpn2z483o