'The set-up here is very good' - Newcastle boss Eddie Howe responds to Arne Slot's 'smaller club' jibe after Alexander Isak's Liverpool switch

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Eddie Howe stopped short of getting embroiled in a war of words with Arne Slot after the Liverpool boss labelled Newcastle a “smaller club” when questioning their handling of Alexander Isak. The striker was in the process of regaining his match fitness following his British record transfer in the summer, before sustaining a groin injury in the Reds' victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday.

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Isak arrived short of fitness after missing Newcastle's pre-season

After refusing to play for Newcastle in order to force through his £125 million (€144.5m/$169.3m) move to Liverpool on transfer deadline day, Isak arrived at Anfield short of match sharpness. The Sweden international made it clear he did not want to play for the Magpies again, missing the club’s pre-season tour of Asia as well as their opening three Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa, Liverpool and Leeds.

Sweden striker sustained groin injury in Liverpool's win over Frankfurt

Following the completion of his switch to Liverpool, Isak has been slowly introduced into the fold, with Slot mindful of the forward’s lack of a pre-season. However, after starting alongside fellow summer signing Hugo Ekitike in the thumping 5-1 win over German side Frankfurt in the Champions League, Isak sustained a groin problem at Deutsche Bank Park, meaning he is a doubt for his side’s trip to Brentford on Saturday evening.

"Alexander is not too bad,” said Slot ahead of the Brentford game. “He is a question mark for the weekend so we will see where he is.”

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Slot questions Newcastle's handling of Isak following injury setback

Slot’s update follows his previous comments which saw him question Isak’s treatment at Newcastle as the summer saga surrounding his future played out.

The Dutchman 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 refused to get involved in exchange with counterpart Slot

However, when asked about Slot’s accusations following the injury to Isak, Newcastle boss Howe refused to get involved in an exchange with his counterpart, though he did defend the club’s care of their “elite players”.

Speaking ahead of his side’s clash with Fulham on Saturday, Howe said: “The set-up 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.”

And when asked if he would “go into bat” and defend Newcastle following Slot’s comments, Howe added: “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. You’ve done it for me, reeling off all those things! But you obviously know what my answer would be.

“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.”

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Liverpool & Newcastle's next games: Brentford & Fulham tests to come

It remains to be seen whether Isak will feature when Slot and Liverpool lock horns with Brentford on Saturday. The Merseysiders ended a four-match losing streak in all competitions following their win over Frankfurt, having suffered successive defeats against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea and fierce rivals Manchester United.

Howe and Newcastle, meanwhile, head into their game against Fulham off the back of an impressive 3-0 victory over Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday. A brace from Harvey Barnes and a strike from Anthony Gordon helped the St. James’ Park club secure back-to-back wins in Europe’s premier club competition following the 4-0 triumph over Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise earlier this month. Newcastle currently sit 14th in the Premier League, six points behind Liverpool who are third.