Source:REUTERS/Lee Smith
[Saba Sports News] During the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St. James’ Park, Magpies fans unveiled a banner, sending a clear message of solidarity with the club. This came after Newcastle rejected a £110 million bid from Liverpool for Alexander Isak and placed a £150 million valuation on the 25-year-old striker. Isak subsequently refused to participate in team training, citing the club’s breach of a promise to let him leave, and was therefore left out of the squad for the first two league games of the new season. Early in the match, Newcastle fans created a hostile yet fervent atmosphere by displaying a banner that read: “No one person is bigger than the club. We are a city, its people, we are Newcastle United.” This was aimed at Liverpool’s persistent pursuit of Isak and their move to hijack Newcastle’s target, Hugo Ekitike. Consequently, when Ekitike stepped off the team bus before the game, he was booed alongside his Liverpool teammates and manager Arne Slot, and received a cold reception inside the stadium. Furthermore, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had called on fans to create an electric atmosphere before the match. The home fans responded with deafening noise in the first 15 minutes, spurring the team to take control of the game.