Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has stressed the need for clarity over the future of Aleksandr Isak following the team's five-goal defeat to Liverpool at St James' Park.
Chairman Yasser Al-Rumayyan watched on as 16-year-old substitute Rio Ngoumohra scored the Reds 3-2 to become the fourth young goalscorer in Premier League history after James Vaughan, James Milner and Wayne Rooney. The moment coincided with reports that the club's owners had held talks with Isak earlier in the day.
Howe said after the game that he had not been involved in the discussions but agreed that the Swedish international, who had previously figured in Liverpool's rejected £110m bid, needed to be dealt with quickly.
The head coach commented: “I have not been involved in contract discussions for a long time. My job is to prepare the team and concentrate on the players who want to defend the colours of Newcastle. It is important to channel energy in this direction now.”
“We need some certainty to move forward and shift our focus as the season begins.
We are in a fight for results and must concentrate on manageable aspects. We demonstrated a decent level twice, but only got one point. It is hard to accept, especially when you are looking for positive moments to rely on.
“However, we are focused and ready for the match against Leeds.”
In a game where Isak was the main topic of discussion, the teams staged a thrilling encounter: the Magpies, with ten men, came close to a valuable draw, but let it slip away in stoppage time.
Goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitikey in the two halves, plus Anthony Gordon's sending off, looked to have given the visitors a breakthrough, but Bruno Guimaraes's 57th-minute strike gave hope and Will Osula's equaliser set up a dramatic finish, with Ngoumoha denying the hosts a point 10 minutes into injury time.
Gordon was shown a straight red card by referee Hooper after a VAR review for a challenge on Virgil van Dijk, with Howe expressing his support for the player he brought on for Isak.
The coach noted: “An unfortunate set of circumstances. I initially thought it was a tough decision. Perhaps my viewing angle was not optimal, so I sincerely sympathize with the player.”
Asked if Gordon's three-match ban made Isak's departure less likely, Howe replied: “Absolutely. When you look at the squad, there are very few alternatives in that position.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted that the team was lucky to win a tense match.
Of Ngumohi's winning goal, he said: “It was especially valuable that he scored at such a decisive moment.”
“We remember last year's goal in the 89th minute against us, so today's success can be considered luck. The victory was literally snatched from the hands of the opponent.
“This result is more important to me than the demonstration of beautiful football. Today's game was not a model of tactics, but it was spectacular thanks to the relentless fight until the last second.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
