What Arne Slot had to say about texts with Eddie Howe before Liverpool return
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Arne Slot has only exchanged text messages with one other Premier League manager: Eddie Howe.
"The only manager I've ever texted with was Eddie Howe (in the Premier League).
They'll be up against a Newcastle team weakened by Isak's absence and a summer where they've struggled - so far at least - to secure their top targets, save for Anthony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw and Aaron Ramsdale.
Liverpool's attack is bolstered by the arrival of Hugo Ekitike, a forward target missed by Newcastle, who now find themselves short up front after Isak's strike and their failure to secure several attacking options.
The connection between Slot and Howe runs through Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director, who shared time with the Newcastle manager at Portsmouth and later at Bournemouth, which has fostered their rapport.
"In general I have sympathy for Eddie Howe because he is a great human being, he's always polite, so that is my general feeling about him," remarked the Liverpool gaffer.
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Eddie Howe shakes hands with Arne Slot after Newcastle's win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
For the rest, I don't need to have sympathy for a manager that can still have the availability of [Anthony] Gordon, [Jacob] Murphy, Elanga, [Harvey] Barnes.
"They didn't replace [Callum] Wilson did they?
I don't even know if it is what the players and the manager are thinking as well.
"Of course, social media and people write a lot, but is this truly what the players are thinking and the manager is thinking