Premier League encounters between Newcastle United and Liverpool rarely lack intensity, but Monday night’s clash at St James’ Park already has an extra layer of intrigue.
That is down to the ongoing saga surrounding Alexander Isak, who has made clear his desire to swap black and white for red this summer. The Swedish striker is pushing hard for a move to Anfield and Newcastle are refusing to budge.
The 25-year-old, played no part in Newcastle’s opening-day goalless draw with Aston Villa as his future continues to dominate the headlines. Howe’s side went into that game without a recognised centre-forward, underlining both the scale of the problem and the urgency to resolve it before the September 1st transfer deadline.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have already tested Newcastle’s resolve with a bid thought to be worth around £110 million. But the Magpies are adamant they want in the region of £150 million — a figure that has prompted fierce criticism from Anfield great John Aldridge.
Writing in his weekly column, Aldridge believes Newcastle’s hardline stance is not only unrealistic but risks destabilising their season.
“The prospect of a £150 million bid is ludicrous. This is not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
Isak is a top striker, but that sort of fee for a player who clearly wants to leave and has even gone on strike to get it over the line I find incredible.
It’s a situation that has not been handled well up at Newcastle but even their Saudi Arabian owners must realise it might be for the best to move him on and reinvest that money.”
Aldridge, who scored 63 goals in just over 100 games for the Reds, insists Liverpool’s history proves no player is ever bigger than the club and has suggested Newcastle must now face a similar reality.
“Liverpool have been in a similar position before where their star striker has wanted to leave. No one was more gutted than when Kevin Keegan left in 1977 and more recently we’ve had players who have rocked the boat in an attempt to get out of Anfield.
Luis Suarez, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres have all caused mischief to get their move, so Liverpool fans know all too well what their Newcastle counterparts are experiencing at the moment where Isak is concerned.”
While Eddie Howe will be hoping his players can put the noise to one side, the uncertainty surrounding their leading forward is unavoidable after Isak broke his silence on the saga, calling out Newcastle for ‘breaking promises’.
For Liverpool, who opened their campaign with victory at home to Bournemouth, the situation only adds to the drama of what is always a fiercely contested fixture. The Reds and the Magpies produced a thrilling 3-3 draw at St James’ Park last season, and the atmosphere on Monday promises to be just as fiery.
Yet for all the action on the pitch, Aldridge believes the real story is playing out in the boardrooms. And as the transfer deadline edges closer, the Alexander Isak saga shows no signs of quietening down.
