Eddie Howe has fired back at Arne Slot after the Liverpool manager called Newcastle a “smaller club”.
Slot had suggested Newcastle’s treatment of Isak during the summer striker led to him being unfit when he arrived on Merseyside.
Isak suffered a groin injury at Frankfurt on Wednesday and is now going to be sidelined for an extended period of time. He has only scored one goal in eight appearances after his British record £125million move.
Slot said: “I don't think there's a rule that every single player has the same (pre-season preparation). But it also depends on what he did when he didn't train with the team, what the impact is if you go to a new club as a big signing.
Arne Slot has blamed Eddie Howe and Newcastle for the physical state that Alexander Isak is in
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“So you cannot compare, maybe a player who hasn't trained or played in pre-season at a smaller club than if you go to Liverpool.
However, Howe took a much more balanced approach in his response, and turned the focus on the environment his team has: “The set-up is here is very good. It is not perfect, we've got things to improve and to grow. But the owners here have developed the facilities since I've been here very, very well.
“You can see there is building work going on currently to hopefully deliver even better in the future. But I have no complaints.
“We've got elite athletes here, many of them, and touch wood, we're managing them pretty well at the moment.”
Eddie Howe has hit back at Arne Slot saying his team's facilities are second-to-none
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Howe was then pressed as to whether he would stick up for supporters, and it was pointed out to the Newcastle manager that his side currently sit above Liverpool in the Champions League table and beat them in last season’s Carabao Cup.
But he did not bite, as he said: “I like the way you’ve worded that… encouraging me to go into bat! I don’t have to do that, I don’t feel I need to.
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“You’ve done it for me, reeling off all those things! But you obviously know what my answer would be.
When asked to directly respond to Slot, Howe said: “I don't think that's wise for me to get involved in those discussions. Alex is no longer at this football club, so I won't comment on it.”
Alexander Isak suffered a groin injury in Liverpool's Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt
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Howe now turns his attention to the Premier League, where Newcastle take on Fulham as they look to improve on their 14th spot.
Slot has a big task on his hand as he looks to snap Liverpool’s losing streak in the league and get them back on track to defend their Premier League title.