22:30, 24 Aug 2025Updated 22:30, 24 Aug 2025<\/p>\n
![\"Arne](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_GettyImages-2204886243.jpg\")
Arne Slot has respect for Eddie Howe<\/p>\n
Arne Slot has only shared texts with one fellow Premier League manager and that\u2019s Eddie Howe. He respects his rival so much he has backed him to one day become England head coach.<\/p>\n
But whether or not the Newcastle<\/a> boss would be so receptive to messages at the moment from his Liverpool<\/a> counterpart may be discovered on Monday evening when they meet at St James\u2019 Park.<\/p>\n A lot has happened between the clubs since Slot and Howe exchanged pleasantries over messages in the aftermath of Newcastle\u2019s Carabao Cup victory against the Reds at Wembley.<\/p>\n Most obviously Liverpool\u2019s pursuit of Alexander Isak, the Magpies front man who has gone on strike to force a move to Anfield. \u201cI don’t know,\u201d Slot said when asked if this summer\u2019s events have damaged relations between the clubs.<\/p>\n \u201cThe only manager I’ve ever texted with was Eddie Howe (in the Premier League<\/a> ). In Holland I texted with a few more, but after the League Cup final we did exchange a few messages.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Darwin Nunez sends another message to Liverpool as Alexander Isak transfer stalls<\/a>READ MORE: Pep Guardiola and Liverpool on collision course over \u00a335m transfer as late exodus awaits<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIf I see him I will be the same as I was last year, and I expect nothing different from him as well. On a higher level, I have no clue. For me it’s still the same relationship with him.\u201d<\/p>\n Liverpool will arrive in the North East on Monday night as mighty villains. But they\u2019ll face a Newcastle side weakened by Isak\u2019s absence and a summer where they\u2019ve failed – so far at least – to sign their top targets with the exception of Anthony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw and Aaron Ramsdale<\/a>.<\/p>\n It is in attack where they are light given Isak\u2019s strike and the failure to sign numerous forward targets, including Hugo Ekitike who will line up for Liverpool.<\/p>\n Slot and Howe have a mutual connection in Richard Hughes, Liverpool\u2019s sporting director who played with the Newcastle manager at Portsmouth before working together at Bournemouth<\/a>, and he cites that as the reason they\u2019ve connected.<\/p>\n \u201cIn general I have sympathy for Eddie Howe because he is a great human being, he\u2019s always polite, so that is my general feeling about him,\u201d said the Liverpool boss.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s maybe not a coincidence that I\u2019ve texted with him because I think he\u2019s a very nice and honest, polite colleague. For the rest, I don\u2019t need to have sympathy for a manager that can still have the availability of [Anthony] Gordon, [Jacob] Murphy, Elanga, [Harvey] Barnes.<\/p>\n \u201cThey didn\u2019t replace [Callum] Wilson did they? You don\u2019t need to have sympathy for a manager who has so many good players in his squad. But in general, I think I like him and I don\u2019t think it will be a surprise to anyone if eventually he is going to lead the national team of England as well. Good human being and a very good manager.\u201d<\/p>\n Liverpool go to St James\u2019 Park for what should be an almost feral atmosphere with a fan base angered that their star man is being lured away by the Premier League champions.<\/p>\n \u201cIf that is even possible,\u201d said Slot when asked if the atmosphere will be more hostile. \u201cBecause it was very intense the last time we played there as well. It’s actually always that way when Newcastle play a home game, let alone an evening game.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s always so, so, so intense. So I don’t know if that is an extra reason for them. I don’t even know if it is what the players and the manager are thinking as well.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, social media and people write a lot, but is this truly what the players are thinking and the manager is thinking? I don’t know. I have no clue.\u201d<\/p>\n The feeling is that once this game is out of the way Liverpool may move again for Isak after one failed bid of \u00a3110m. Slot wants another attacker brought in after selling Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz along with the tragic loss of Diogo Jota.<\/p>\n But he insists, after the signings of Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, he has enough in attack that if they don\u2019t sign a forward it won\u2019t be a gamble. \u201cThat\u2019s the answer, yeah,\u201d was Slot\u2019s response when asked to confirm he\u2019s happy with his squad as it is.<\/p>\n Yet you still get the feeling that tonight will be another chapter of the Isak to Liverpool story as well as a crunch Premier League fixture.<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror<\/a> Football<\/a> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a343<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Arne](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1_Liverpool-FC-v-AC-Milan-Pre-Season-Friendly.jpg\")
Arne Slot wants to sign Alexander Isak(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Isak](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1_Newcastle-United-FC-v-Everton-FC-Premier-League.jpg\")
Isak wants to leave Newcastle(Image: George Wood, Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Isak](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/3_Eddie-Howe-and-Alexander-Isak-File-Photo.jpg\")
Isak walks with Howe(Image: PA)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755410056_114_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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