Howe makes Isak transfer admission ahead of Liverpool clash
Eddie Howe admitted that Newcastle United are trying to adapt to life without Alexander Isak following his move to Liverpool in the summer transfer window.
The Magpies received an initial £125 million fee, potentially rising to £130m, for the striker on deadline day after he forced his way out of St. James’ Park
Newcastle spent a combined £124m on Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa to replace both Isak and Callum Wilson.
Liverpool host the Tyneside outfit at Anfield on Saturday evening, although Isak will miss the match after breaking his leg against Spurs in late December.
Howe makes Isak transfer admission ahead of Liverpool clash
Speaking ahead of the game, Howe said the process of integrating the new forwards in the absence of Isak is “an ever-challenging thing”.
“You lose a player like Alex… and let’s put this right, Liverpool paid the money they did because he’s an outstanding footballer, an unbelievable talent. We were privileged to have him for the years that we had him. We loved working with him,” he said.
“He was an outstanding player. When you take that player away from your team, it’s going to change the dynamics, that’s for sure. Then you have to try to find a way of not replacing him, but finding a player or players who can still make the team really effective.
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“We’re still in that moment and we’ve been trying to do that all season. I think the guys who have come in have done a very good job.
“But we’re still finding ways to get the best out of the new players that we’ve signed without training, with very minimal time to do any work with them.
“There’s been video analysis, talking to them, which is great, but it’s not the same as getting the work on the training pitch.
“They’ve done really well and they’re trying to give the team the best that they have and we are trying to adapt.”
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Howe also praised Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike, who snubbed Newcastle in the summer in favour of a £69m move to Merseyside.
“(He is) A very, very good player. I think it is well known I have liked him for a number of years; I tried to sign him twice,” he added.
“He has got a bit of everything. He has great movement, can score with both feet, he’s good in the air and dribbles with the ball really well. He is a big talent.”
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