It was supposed to be a night of fight and resilience for Newcastle.
Down to ten men and staring defeat in the face, they pushed Liverpool all the way before 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha stole the headlines with a dramatic 100th-minute winner.
But while the result hurt, the bigger battle for Newcastle might actually be happening off the pitch—keeping hold of their star striker, Alexander Isak.
Club Owners Step In Personally
In a rare move, Newcastle’s hierarchy went straight to Isak’s home on Monday in an attempt to smooth things over.
Co-owner Jamie Reuben and Saudi PIF director Jacobo Solis personally met the 25-year-old in Northumberland, hoping to convince him to return to training and recommit to the team.
Their visit came just hours before kickoff at St James’ Park, where Eddie Howe’s side fought bravely but ultimately lost 3-2.
Liverpool’s Late Winner Stuns Newcastle
The game itself was as dramatic as they come. Newcastle had to play half the match with ten men after Anthony Gordon was shown red for a reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk.
Goals from Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula gave the home fans hope, but it was Liverpool’s young sensation Ngumoha who sealed the result deep into stoppage time.
Isak Still Wants Out
For all the drama on the pitch, Newcastle’s biggest concern remains off it.
Isak has made no secret of his desire to leave for Liverpool, even refusing to play in order to force a move. Newcastle, however, are standing firm.
They rejected Liverpool’s £110 million bid and insist they won’t even consider a deal unless they secure two new strikers—and so far, they’ve failed.
Their £50m move for Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen was knocked back on Monday, leaving them no closer to a replacement.
Howe Admits His Team Miss Him
Eddie Howe didn’t shy away from acknowledging how much Isak has been missed in their poor start to the season.
“The quality of Alex, I think he would have made a difference in the two games,” the manager said.
Still, he praised his squad for their effort, describing their performance against Liverpool as “high octane, front-foot football.”
The Chairman Gets Involved
Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan was spotted at St James’ Park, and Howe hopes his presence could be the turning point in the ongoing saga. “The ideal from everyone is we want clarity,” Howe explained. “His presence is much appreciated—he is the most important person in terms of any decisions we make.”
Liverpool’s Boss Fires Back
On the other side, Liverpool manager Arne Slot wasn’t impressed with Newcastle’s style of play.
“I’m not too sure if I saw a football match today—it was set-piece after set-piece, long throws, it didn’t have a lot to do with tactics,” he said after the win.
Still, he credited his team for staying strong against difficult circumstances.
What Happens Next?
With the transfer window ticking down, Newcastle’s owners know time is running out.
The club’s preference is to keep Isak, but if his stance doesn’t change and replacements can’t be secured, the final days of the market could be turbulent.
For now, the battle to keep their star striker is just as tense as the battles being fought on the pitch.
