Arne Slot admits texts with Eddie Howe as Liverpool set for Alexander Isak switch fury
Lots has occurred between the golf equipment since Arne Slot and Eddie Howe exchanged pleasantries over messages within the aftermath of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup victory in opposition to the Reds at Wembley
Arne Slot has solely shared texts with one fellow Premier League supervisor and that’s Eddie Howe. He respects his rival a lot he has backed him to someday turn into England head coach.
However whether or not or not the Newcastle boss could be so receptive to messages for the time being from his Liverpool counterpart could also be found on Monday night after they meet at St James’ Park.
Lots has occurred between the golf equipment since Slot and Howe exchanged pleasantries over messages within the aftermath of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup victory in opposition to the Reds at Wembley.
Most clearly Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak, the Magpies entrance man who has gone on strike to drive a transfer to Anfield. “I don't know,” Slot mentioned when requested if this summer time’s occasions have broken relations between the golf equipment.
“The one supervisor I've ever texted with was Eddie Howe (within the Premier League ). In Holland I texted with just a few extra, however after the League Cup remaining we did alternate just a few messages.
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“If I see him I would be the similar as I used to be final 12 months, and I count on nothing totally different from him as effectively. On a better stage, I’ve no clue. For me it's nonetheless the identical relationship with him.”
Liverpool will arrive within the North East on Monday night time as mighty villains. However they’ll face a Newcastle facet weakened by Isak’s absence and a summer time the place they’ve failed – thus far at the least – to signal their prime targets apart from Anthony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw and Aaron Ramsdale.
It’s in assault the place they’re gentle given Isak’s strike and the failure to signal quite a few ahead targets, together with Hugo Ekitike who will line up for Liverpool.
Slot and Howe have a mutual connection in Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director who performed with the Newcastle supervisor at Portsmouth earlier than working collectively at Bournemouth, and he cites that as the explanation they’ve related.
“On the whole I’ve sympathy for Eddie Howe as a result of he is a superb human being, he’s at all times well mannered, so that’s my basic feeling about him,” mentioned the Liverpool boss.
“It’s possibly not a coincidence that I’ve texted with him as a result of I believe he’s a really good and sincere, well mannered colleague. For the remainder, I don’t have to have sympathy for a supervisor that may nonetheless have the supply of [Anthony] Gordon, [Jacob] Murphy, Elanga, [Harvey] Barnes.
“They didn’t change [Callum] Wilson did they? You don’t have to have sympathy for a supervisor who has so many good gamers in his squad. However normally, I believe I like him and I don’t assume it will likely be a shock to anybody if ultimately he’s going to guide the nationwide workforce of England as effectively. Good human being and an excellent supervisor.”
Liverpool go to St James’ Park for what needs to be an nearly feral environment with a fan base angered that their star man is being lured away by the Premier League champions.
“If that’s even attainable,” mentioned Slot when requested if the environment will likely be extra hostile. “As a result of it was very intense the final time we performed there as effectively. It's truly at all times that means when Newcastle play a house sport, not to mention a night sport.
“It's at all times so, so, so intense. So I don't know if that’s an additional purpose for them. I don't even know whether it is what the gamers and the supervisor are pondering as effectively.
“In fact, social media and folks write loads, however is that this really what the gamers are pondering and the supervisor is pondering? I don't know. I’ve no clue.”
The sensation is that after this sport is out of the way in which Liverpool could transfer once more for Isak after one failed bid of £110m. Slot needs one other attacker introduced in after promoting Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz together with the tragic lack of Diogo Jota.
However he insists, after the signings of Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, he has sufficient in assault that in the event that they don’t signal a ahead it gained’t be a chance. “That’s the reply, yeah,” was Slot’s response when requested to substantiate he’s completely happy together with his squad as it’s.
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But you continue to get the sensation that tonight will likely be one other chapter of the Isak to Liverpool story in addition to a crunch Premier League fixture.
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