Published: 11:00, 24 October 2025 | Updated: 11:00, 24 October 2025

Eddie Howe refused to get dragged into a row with Arne Slot after his comments about Newcastle being a ‘smaller club’ - but he defended the club’s care of their ‘elite players’.

The Liverpool boss has suggested that Newcastle’s treatment of Isak during his summer strike led to him being unconditioned when he arrived on Merseyside.

Isak suffered a groin injury at Frankfurt on Wednesday and now faces a period on the sidelines, having scored just one goal from eight appearances since his £125million move to Anfield.

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. 

'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.’

Howe would not rise to Slot’s accusations, but said: ‘The set-up is here is...