The Swedish striker is pushing for a move from Newcastle to defending champions Liverpool, and the drama off the pitch has only added spice to what is already a mouthwatering contest.
Isak and Newcastle have traded blows in recent weeks. The forward accused the club of breaking promises and insisted he cannot continue at St. James’ Park, while the Magpies have strongly denied any agreement to let him leave this summer.
Caught in the middle, Eddie Howe has had to field the same transfer questions over and over in his press conferences while also searching for attacking alternatives in Isak’s absence. But his side looked blunt in their opening-day draw with Aston Villa, even after Ezri Konsa’s red card left the visitors short.
Newcastle’s attacking woes stretch back to last season as they have now failed to score in three straight league matches. Another blank would see them go four without a goal for the first time since early 2020. On the flip side, there is a more positive streak in sight. The Magpies are chasing a fourth consecutive home-opener win under Howe, having triumphed in six of their last seven games at St. James’ Park.
Liverpool showed they can cope without Isak in their season opener, even if their defensive frailties were exposed again. A wild 4-2 win over Bournemouth featured Hugo Ekitike marking his debut with a goal and assist, Antoine Semenyo striking twice amid reports of racist abuse from the crowd, and a spectacular Federico Chiesa volley, but Mohamed Salah’s trademark opening-day strike helped settle the chaos.
The Reds’ attacking firepower ultimately bailed them out, snapping a four-game league winless streak and washing away some of the sting from their Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace. Their defensive record remains a concern, though. Including that loss to Palace, they have kept just one clean sheet in their last ten competitive matches, with the sole shutout coming against relegated Leicester City.
Still, Liverpool could equal a much more impressive milestone at the other end of the pitch. If they score on Monday, they will match their club-record run of 36 consecutive top-flight games with a goal, first set between 2019 and 2020. History also tilts in their favor. While Newcastle did beat them in last season’s EFL Cup final, the Magpies have failed to win any of their last 17 league meetings with the champions.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
As expected, there has been no reconciliation between Isak and Newcastle over the past week. The £150m-rated striker remains frozen out of the squad as he continues to push for a move to Anfield.Isak could be the only absentee for the hosts on Monday. Joe Willock is closing in on a return from the calf injury he picked up in pre-season and is currently Howe’s only fitness concern.
A debut may also be on the cards for Jacob Ramsey after his high-profile move from Aston Villa, although Howe could choose to introduce him gradually. That would leave Anthony Elanga, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes competing for attacking roles.
Barnes in particular will be eager to take advantage of Liverpool’s weakened right flank. Jeremie Frimpong is sidelined until after the international break with a hamstring problem, Conor Bradley has only just resumed training, and Joe Gomez is being eased back carefully.
In his pre-match press conference, Arne Slot mentioned a couple of emergency options, including Dominik Szoboszlai. With Ryan Gravenberch back from suspension, Szoboszlai could even find himself starting at right-back at St James’ Park.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah is looking to build on his customary opening-day goal. The Egyptian has an outstanding record against Newcastle in the Premier League, with 10 goals and eight assists to his name, including setting up a goal in each of his last six meetings with the Magpies.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
EXPERT PREDICTION
Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool
As shaky as Liverpool can look at the back, Newcastle without Isak are not in the best position to take advantage, especially given how wasteful they were in front of goal last weekend.
If Howe’s side can be more clinical on the counter, they may cause problems, but Liverpool’s full-strength attack is more than capable of striking back and should be favored to make it two wins from two on Monday.
