Newcastle United host Liverpool to St James' Park on Monday night in what promises to be one of the most heated fixtures of the early Premier League season. It is Newcastle's first home game of the campaign, but the ongoing Alexander Isak saga has only made the atmosphere even more tense.
Isak, once adored on Tyneside, has become a lightning rod for frustration after pushing for a move to Liverpool. Softfootball understands that the striker has refused to train with the first team , claiming "promises were broken and trust is lost, and manager Eddie Howe has confirmed he will not be involved.
Liverpool's role in the pursuit has painted them as the villains, and supporters are preparing to make the ground as hostile as possible for the champions. Wor Flags, the famous fan group, admitted the saga has made it harder to unite everyone, but promised a huge pre-match display to back the players who are still committed.