Liverpool told Hugo Ekitike reality as Alexander Isak continues to dominate talk

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Fairly or not, supporters of the Magpies have taken against the Reds for their pursuit of Alexander Isak, which will add a healthy helping of heat to a fixture already known for its fireworks.

The champions can certainly feel a little aggrieved by the reception, given that this "pursuit" has consisted of a single British-record bid for a player who clearly wants to leave.

Despite Isak's increasingly drastic maneuvers, Liverpool has continued to respect Newcastle's firm rejection, declining to come in with a second offer.

On the other hand, Arne Slot did go ahead and add Hugo Ekitike to his attack, at a time when Eddie Howe was also trying to sign him.

Newcastle failed to attract Ekitike and a host of other alternatives, and must now either keep a wantaway star striker or limp through to (at least) January without a suitable replacement.

The former currently looks like the most probable course of action.

There is consequently a school of thought that Liverpool has somehow shot itself in the foot by signing Ekitike, in the sense that it may have shut the door on Isak.

But ultimately, only one of them will be involved in today's fixture, and in with a chance of making a mark.

Alexander Isak of Newcastle United.

Previewing the game, he admitted that Newcastle would need to be wary of Ekitike's threat:

"There's no doubt I really like Hugo and have done for a number of years," Howe conceded.