Nick Woltemade gives awkward Liverpool answer that will annoy Newcastle United supporters
Newcastle United stumped up a club-record £69million to sign Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart.
Nick Woltemade has revealed he is most excited about playing at Anfield in the Premier League.
In comments that are unlikely to go down well with Newcastle United fans, the £69million man cited Jurgen Klopp as the reason behind his answer. The German managed Liverpool for nine years - forging a new breed of supporters on the continent.
Toon fans would have covered their ears at his answer given the summer-long saga involving Alexander Isak. The Swede downed tools at St James’ Park to force through a deadline-day move to Merseyside.
Nick Woltemade on Liverpool
Woltemade ultimately arrived as Isak’s replacement but has already suggested he is keen to play at Anfield. Newcastle travel to Liverpool on January 27 aiming for revenge after bitterly losing 3-2 at St James’ Park last month.
When asked by Sky Sports about the top-flight ground he is looking forward to visiting, Woltemade said: “I would say Anfield. Jurgen Klopp was there for a long time, so in Germany, everybody likes Liverpool. I think it will be nice.”
Newcastle United journey starts now
Speaking after signing for Newcastle, the 23-year-old insisted he is “excited” to get going in the Premier League. Woltemade said: "I'm really happy to be at this amazing club. From the first contact, I felt like the club really wanted me and had big plans for me.
"It's a big step in my life to leave Germany but everybody has welcomed me so well and it already feels like family. I have a really good feeling from speaking to the head coach that this is the right place for me to find my best level.
"I know the stadium from watching games on television - it looks amazing and I know the atmosphere is crazy. I'm really excited to play and start scoring goals here."
Eddie Howe on Nick Woltemade
Eddie Howe has called the Newcastle transfer a “big opportunity” for Woltemade. He told reporters a fortnight ago: “(It’s a big) change for him, big opportunity for him. He's got a great nature, a great character.
“He's very calm and he's gone straight into our training and not looked out of place. He's shown his qualities. We're really pleased with how he's settled in."