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Arne Slot will speak to the media this morning ahead of Liverpool's Community Shield showdown with Crystal Palace at Wembley (Image: Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Arne Slot has sidestepped a question over Liverpool's interest in Alexander Isak, as the speculation continues over Newcastle United's wantaway striker.

But the Reds boss conceded he doesn't expect Isak to start for Eddie Howe's side at St James' Park on Monday evening.

Liverpool had a £110m bid rejected by the Magpies earlier this month and are understood to be ready to return to the table should they be given encouragement from the North East that a deal could be possible.

It's been widely reported Newcastle are holding out for £150m, although their efforts to replace the Sweden star have so far proven fruitless having seen Liam Delap and Joao Pedro join Chelsea, Hugo Ekitike move to Liverpool and Benjamin Sesko sign for Manchester United.

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On Tuesday night, moments after he was confirmed as being named in the PFA's Team of the Year for last season, Isak posted on his Instagram account that his Newcastle career was over, citing broken promises behind the scenes.

That was followed by a Newcastle statement later that night expressing their disappointment in their striker's actions and claiming he would now be likely to stay put at St James' Park.

Asked about the situation ahead of Monday's trip to Newcastle, in his Thursday press conference, Slot said: "What I can tell you is not a lot!

"If someone else asks, it's the same.

So, as I've said many times and shown, I could impact game with who we had on the bench, so it would be much nicer to talk about who we have but I understand you (media) have to ask, your superiors ask you.

"[Monday's game] is nothing to do with anything in the media but if you go to Newcastle, you know what to expect.

"Three times last season we played them, their intensity levels were above ours twice.

It is mainly difficult because of the players, the fans, the atmosphere is great but at St James' Park, last season was a night game, the atmosphere was amazing.

"I assume Isak is not playing from what I read in the media but they still Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy wasn't even playing and he was very good against us."

Speaking on his Instagram account on Tuesday evening, Isak wrote: "I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken.

To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading."

Newcastle's response read: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening.

"We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.

“We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views.

As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired.

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“We do not foresee those conditions being met.
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