Newcastle United faced Liverpool FC on home soil without Swedish national youngster Alexander Isak who is looking to make a move to Anfield.
Liverpool are expected to bid around £130m for Isak who has made it clear since July that he only wants a move to Liverpool despite offers from Al-Hilal. The Newcastle striker has declined having any discussions with his current club and is set to resume talks with Liverpool once Newcastle secures Yoane Wissa as his replacement. Sources say the move would be fast tracked once Newcastle grants approval.
Micheal Owen spoke on the prospective move expressing doubts regarding the need for Isak at Liverpool saying, “unless slot fancies Isak as a left inside forward,” Hugo Ekitike was sufficient for the Club. He added that, “for football’s sake the two should be leading rival clubs as 9s rather than sharing a position at Liverpool.”
Newcastle side that has been trailing since Isak’s absence looked dangerous throughout the game today despite Anthony Gordon being sent off just before half time for a reckless tackle on Virgil Van Dijk.
St. James’ park was heated up as Gravenberch opened scoring in the 35th minute just 7mins after Gordon came close to finding the back of the net when he got on the end of Barnes’ cross.
Down to 10 men and a goal behind at halftime Eddie Howe’s team gave a great performance after conceding a second goal early in the second half. The Magpies were able to pull one back in the 60th minute when their skipper Bruno Guimarães headed Tino’s deep cross into the post.
Howe went on to make three changes as Jacob Ramsey, Lewis Hall and Will Osula came on for Joelinton, Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes respectively. Jacob Ramsey and Malick Thiaw both made their debuts for Newcastle.
A long ball forward was flicked on by Dan Burn towards Osula who put it past Alisson into the net to tie the game. Unfortunately the staggering performance of Newcastle was thwarted in the 10th minute of stoppage time when 16year old Rio Ngumoha curled the ball past into the top right corner to claim the victory for the Reds in what is said to be an Isak grudge match.
Magpies manager must now either attempt to reintegrate Isak into the team or sell him to a club who are surely capable of retaining their crown.
