Newcastle United played out a goalless draw with Aston Villa in its Premier League opener on Saturday. But what remained one of the major talking points was the absence of Alexander Isak from Newcastle’s matchday squad.
Isak has been training away from the main squad since his transfer link with defending champion Liverpool.
According to British media, the Magpies rejected a bid of £110m from the Reds, but the Swede has been pushing for a move away from the club, leading to a fallout between him and manager Eddie Howe.
Isak, who had 27 goals and six assists across all competitions for Newcastle, rose to the status of a club hero when he scored the decisive goal against Liverpool in the League Cup final, which earned the team its first silverware in over seven decades.
Having moved to Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022, the Swedish forward has 62 goals and 11 assists for the Premier League side.
RELATED: Villa holds Newcastle to stalemate despite Konsa red card
“It has been difficult because we’re such a tight-knit group,” Anthony Gordon, who replaced Isak as a centre-forward against Villa, told TNT Sports after the match.
“We’ve never really had any problems publicly, and that being the first thing that’s happened, it’s tested us, but we’ve still got that spirit of togetherness, and it’s never going to go (away) regardless of the individuals.”
Liverpool, meanwhile, has signed forward Hugo Ekitike from Paris Saint-Germain, and its intentions for moving for Isak remain uncertain. Both teams are set to face off on August 25 at St James’ Park.
“It can bring us closer; things like this can test you and make you better in the end. I think with everything that has gone on, I’m sure the atmosphere against Liverpool is going to be a bit wild!” Gordon said.