The official reason why Alexander Isak is missing for Newcastle United vs Liverpool
Alexander Isak misses Newcastle United’s visit to Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Newcastle United are without Alexander Isak for tonight’s Premier League clash against Liverpool.
The Sweden international scored a brace in Sunday’s 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest - taking his tally for 21 goals for the campaign - but isn’t in the squad at Anfield, despite being pictured with the squad.
According to club sources, Isak misses out with a “slight groin problem”.
The 25-year-old has scored on both his visits to Anfield since arriving for a club-record £63million from Real Sociedad almost three years ago.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot spoke at length about the threat Isak poses before the game.
“It is an understatement to say Isak is in fine form. I think he is in excellent form.” Slot said. “The team performance will help us control him. The more ball possession we have the more, the easier it is to control him, although he is definitely a threat on counter-attacks.
“The good thing for us is that we have two very good centre-backs, who are probably one of the best players to play against him. We have two very good centre-backs and that is definitely what you need when you face a striker with the quality of Isak.
“Really high intense tempo in the game That helps no.9 as well because the better your team-mates are the more chances you get.
“He is not the only offensive threat they have. I think [Anthony] Gordon at right wing is a big threat. It is not only about him but he is definitely having a great season.
“But it is not only about him; I like the style of play Eddie Howe has introduced. They are always a team who has a very good game plan, they are really intense with or without the ball.”
Eddie Howe names Alexander Isak replacement
Newcastle are aiming to secure their first win at Anfield since 1995. In Isak’s place, Callum Wilson makes his first Premier League start of the season.
“I think we need close to a perfect game from our perspective,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. “Certainly, I think learning from the recent game against Manchester City would be a useful starting point for us where we didn't execute the aggressive game plan that we wanted. We didn't attack enough.
“For me, we didn't attack the game well enough, so we need to learn from that at Anfield, which is a really great environment to play football, but not a great environment if you're not totally there. So we have to acknowledge that and make sure that we turn up.”
NEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Nick Pope; Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall; Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock; Jacob Murphy, Callum Wilson, SUBS: Martin Dubravka, John Ruddy, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Matt Targett, Sean Longstaff, Lewis Miley, Harvey Barnes, William Osula.