Howe won't be drawn into war of words with Anfield's Slot

NEWCASTLE boss Eddie Howe has refused to be drawn into a war of words with Liverpool counterpart Arne Slot after his “smaller club” jibe amid the ongoing Alexander Isak saga.

- By DAMIAN SPELLMAN, PA

the Magpies' care for their elite play

The Reds boss spoke out after the 26-year-old Sweden international, who headed for Anfield from St James’ Park in a protracted £125million switch after going on strike this summer, limped out of Wednesday night's 5-1 Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt with a groin problem.

Slot later said Isak, who has one goal in eight appearances for his new club, was struggling because “you cannot compare a player who maybe hasn’t trained or played in preseason for a smaller club to then go to Liverpool!”