Intense St James' Park atmosphere won't impact the respect Slot has for rival Howe

AFTER the Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle in March, Arne Slot asked sporting director Richard Hughes for the number of Eddie Howe.

- By PAUL GORST

Liverpool's head coach, magnanimous in defeat, wanted to personally congratulate the Magpies boss on ending a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy after a deserved 2-1 triumph at Wembley.

Slot insists Howe is the only one of his Premier League counterparts that he has reached out to in such a manner and speaking before the visit to St James' Park, the respect for the Magpies boss shines through as the Dutchman previews what is expected to be a typically intense match.

"I don't think it's good for me to say what he texted me or I texted him but if you heard what I said in the media and what I like about him is what he says in the media, so I think they fully deserved to win the League Cup final," Slot says. "I didn't text him anything different from that!"

Tonight's game carries added spice due to the intentions of the wantaway Alexander Isak, who made public his private desire last week with an explosive statement, made via social media, where he spoke of broken promises, lost trust and effectively demanded to be sold to Liverpool.

Howe has been faced with an avalanche of lask-related questions since the Sweden international opted not to fly with his teammates on their tour of the Far East last month by citing a minor injury.