Soccer <\/p>\n
Verdict: Away win<\/strong><\/p>\n Best odds: 1\/1<\/strong><\/p>\n Bookmaker: Olympusbet<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n One can only wonder what will be going through Alexander Isak\u2019s mind on Monday night, as Newcastle United and Liverpool round off the second weekend of Premier League action with a blockbuster at St James\u2019 Park.<\/p>\n The Magpies were left to rue his absence in their stalemate with Aston Villa, lacking the cutting edge their talisman provides, while the Reds showcased their own attacking depth, with a fresh face stepping up to inspire a 4-2 triumph over Bournemouth.<\/p>\n A seemingly endless transfer saga provides the dramatic backdrop to Monday\u2019s highly-anticipated clash, perfectly timed by the Premier League schedule, as Alexander Isak strives to engineer a move from Newcastle United to title holders Liverpool.<\/p>\n The Swedish striker and his current club have been locked in a public exchange of criticism, with Isak accusing the Magpies of reneging on promises and declaring their relationship unsalvageable, while Newcastle insist no such agreement to sanction a summer departure ever existed.<\/p>\n While repeatedly fielding questions on the subject in the media, Eddie Howe has sought other attacking solutions in Isak\u2019s absence, but his side came up short in their opening draw with Aston Villa, even after Ezri Konsa was dismissed for a last-man challenge. Extending a barren run, Newcastle have now failed to score in three successive league games, their longest drought since February 2020, before the COVID lockdown. Another blank would make it four, though the hosts also chase a more positive sequence: winning their first home game of the season for a fourth straight year under Howe, who has overseen six victories from their last seven St James\u2019 Park outings.<\/p>\n No reconciliation has occurred between Isak and Newcastle over the past week, and the \u00a3150m-valued forward remains exiled while pressing for an Anfield switch.<\/p>\n Beyond the Sweden international, Howe\u2019s only concern is Joe Willock, who is close to recovering from a calf injury sustained in pre-season. Jacob Ramsey may debut following his expensive move from Aston Villa, though Howe could integrate him gradually, keeping Anthony Elanga, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes in contention up front.<\/p>\n Liverpool coped just fine without Alexander Isak in their 2025\/26 Premier League opener, though their defensive lapses almost allowed Bournemouth to spring a surprise, before Arne Slot\u2019s men ultimately prevailed in a six-goal thriller.<\/p>\n Debutant Hugo Ekitike struck once and set up another for Cody Gakpo, while Antoine Semenyo netted twice shortly after reporting alleged racist abuse from a supporter, but Federico Chiesa\u2019s chaotic volley and Mohamed Salah\u2019s trademark first-day strike ultimately killed off the Cherries\u2019 resistance.<\/p>\n A frantic contest at Anfield on August 15 highlighted Liverpool\u2019s frailties at the back, but also their attacking sharpness, as they snapped a four-match winless league run and responded to their deflating Community Shield loss against Crystal Palace. Yet defensive worries linger: counting that defeat to the Eagles, Liverpool have just one clean sheet from their last 10 competitive outings, a statistic softened slightly by their scoring streak.<\/p>\n Should the Reds find the net at St James\u2019 Park, they will equal their longest ever top-flight run of 36 consecutive scoring games, a mark first set between 2019 and 2020. While Newcastle edged last season\u2019s Carabao Cup final, the Magpies have failed to overcome the reigning champions in their last 17 league encounters.<\/p>\n Team News<\/p>\n Jeremie Frimpong will miss out until after the international break with a hamstring problem, Conor Bradley is only just back in full training, and Joe Gomez\u2019s workload is still being closely managed. Arne Slot mentioned a few stop-gap options in his pre-match briefing, including Dominik Szoboszlai, who may fill in at right-back given Ryan Gravenberch\u2019s return from suspension.<\/p>\n Having struck on opening weekend, Salah now looks to extend a dazzling record against Newcastle: 10 goals and eight assists in the league, including assists in each of his last six appearances versus the Magpies.<\/p>\n Liverpool\u2019s defensive issues remain a concern, but without Isak, Newcastle hardly look capable of exploiting them, particularly after last weekend\u2019s wasteful showing in front of goal.<\/p>\n Howe\u2019s side could cause problems on the break with sharper finishing, yet Liverpool\u2019s full-strength attack carries enough firepower to strike back even more effectively and seal a second successive win on Monday.<\/p>\n Verdict: Away win<\/strong><\/p>\n Best odds: 1\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nNewcastle<\/h3>\n
Team News<\/h4>\n
Liverpool<\/h3>\n
Conclusion<\/h3>\n