Isak adds spice to a tasty dish

BUT HOWE REFUSES TO SEE RED WITH RIVALS

- by IAN MURTAGH

Newcastle versus Liverpool evokes memories of 4-3 humdingers, stirring comebacks and glorious goals.

Throw into the mix the Reds will be seeking revenge for last season’s Carabao Cup final defeat and this latest one really is the ultimate bank holiday bonanza.

But the buildup to the Toon’s opening home game of the season has been more about histrionics than history.

Talk has been dominated by one man who won't even feature tonight.

Neither Eddie Howe nor Arne Slot want it that way, but this latest episode has become a clash between the team Alexander Isak wants to quit and the one he dreams of playing for.

It meant Newcastle's pre-match press conference barely featured questions about the visit of the Premier League champions.