Howe Says He Wants ‘players Who Are Committed To Newcastle’ After Defeat By Liverpool

Eddie Howe said he was investing each his power successful players “who want to play for Newcastle” aft his broadside were sent to a stunning conclusion by nan 16-year-old substitute Rio Ngumoha’s ­100th-minute victor for Liverpool.

Howe, whose 10-man squad had fought backmost to level astatine 2-2 aft Anthony Gordon’s first-half reddish card, claimed to beryllium unaware of a last-ditch bid by nan club’s owners to seduce Alexander Isak to wantonness his one-man strike.

The Sweden striker, currently trying to unit a move to Liverpool and training separately from his teammates, was not astatine St James’ Park to spot an bonzer crippled unfold, but earlier successful nan time nan number nine proprietor Jamie Reuben had led an effort to alteration Isak’s mind erstwhile he met pinch nan striker successful Northumberland.

“I americium not alert of a gathering pinch nan owners but I person not been statement to talks [about Isak’s future] for a agelong time,” Newcastle’s head said. “I person been preparing nan team, giving my power to players who want to play for Newcastle. I person nary thought wherever things [regarding Isak] stand.”

Yasir al-Rumayyan, Newcastle’s chair, made a uncommon sojourn to St James’ Park on pinch chap members of nan mostly owners, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

“I don’t cognize why he [al-Rumayyan] is here,” Howe said. “His beingness is overmuch appreciated from my perspective. He is nan proprietor and he is nan astir important personification successful position of immoderate decisions we make.”

The Newcastle chair Yasir al-Rumayyan made 1 of his uncommon visits to St James’ Park connected nan time a delegation from nan owners met pinch Alexander Isak. Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters

Howe hopes a last determination connected whether aliases not to waste Isak to ­Liverpool will get swiftly. “That would beryllium ideal,” he said. “We want clarity to move guardant and to alteration nan narrative. We person fixed 2 really bully performances [without Isak aliases a elder striker] and ended up pinch 1 point. Alex’s value would person made a quality successful nan 2 games.

“I’ve very mixed feelings tonight. It was a awesome capacity from us. I’m gutted for nan players. Everyone had told maine Anthony’s paper was a clear reddish but I deliberation he was somewhat unlucky. There was nary intent to harm [Virgil] van Dijk but he’s astir apt gone successful excessively quickly. Will Osula came on, scored a extremity and did well, but we are moving retired of attacking options.”

Not that Howe was wholly downcast. “These players make maine proud,” he said. “They are entwined into Newcastle, they want to beryllium present and want to play. They are connected to nan nine successful a measurement that is really deep. That was an unthinkable spot to play football. As a shot nine I thought we showcased our talents. This isn’t going to beryllium a elemental play for us. There is nary intentional excavation to Alex, but people I want players that are committed to Newcastle.”

His Liverpool counterpart played a consecutive bat erstwhile it came to Isak. “This is not nan infinitesimal aliases nan spot to talk astir that,” said Arne Slot earlier joining his players arsenic they headed to Newcastle airdrome and their return formation to Merseyside. “My main emotion is relief.

Rio Ngumoha celebrates his 100th-minute victor against Newcastle. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

“This intends much to maine than a 5-0 win. This had thing to do pinch tactics. It was a awesome crippled to watch but it was a crippled that was intolerable for america to control. The fans were truthful loud, nan ambiance was unbelievable. I’m not judge it was a shot lucifer but we recovered a measurement to win.

“It was a awesome extremity for a 16-year-old. Rio tin decorativeness truthful good for his age. I did perceive personification opportunity afterwards successful nan dressing room he would person taken a first touch, but he is truthful confident. For his age, he is simply a really bully finisher.”