Video: How Arne Slot reacted to Newcastle fans booing the Liverpool squad as they arrived at St James’ Park
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The Alexander Isak saga overshadowed the build-up to the game and the welcome Liverpool got certainly proved just that.
It may only be gameweek two but for the Reds, this feels like one of their most important, and their hardest, games of the season.
Travelling to St James’ Park is a tough task for any team, but under the lights, on a bank holiday Monday, while the Isak situation rumbles on, certainly makes it a whole lot tougher.
As expected, the Magpies’ fans have been trying their best to make it hostile, hoping to strike fear into Liverpool, with the atmosphere nothing short of sensational.
And, before the game, they took their chance to assert their dominance, although Arne Slot did not seem too fazed.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Liverpool know better than most how to intimidate their upcoming opponents, with videos regularly circulating online of how their rivals are greeted when coming to town.
Reds fans swarm the streets, flares and flags in hand, singing at the top of their lungs.
Nobody wants to go to Anfield for a big game.
Newcastle had a slightly different approach ahead of this clash, with fans waiting to boo all the players and staff as they exited the Liverpool bus.
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Some would usually get their head down and quickly walk inside, but not Slot.
The Dutchman was caught glancing over before producing a cheeky smile, suggesting he was feeling calm ahead of the match.
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The rest of the squad looked fairly relaxed too, with most calmly heading into the stadium as they prepared for one of the toughest games of their season.
As everyone knows, the sole reason for this hostile atmosphere is because of one man; Isak.
It is safe to say that the Swede has rustled a few feathers by attempting to force a move, with frustrations from the fans clearly coming out during this game.
Of course, they will not be playing Liverpool every week, but the atmosphere will remain tense until his future is decided.
With that being said, this saga should come to an end very quickly after this game has finished, with Newcastle no longer needing to worry about coming up against him, at least until January 31st that is.
It seems beyond the point of no return and a move would look like the best option from the outside looking in, but as everyone knows, things in football can change very quickly.