Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has addressed Arne Slott’s comments following Liverpool’s Alexander Isak’s injury earlier this week. Mr Howe spoke about the top quality facilities at the Magpies’ training ground and stressed that all players receive exceptional care. The manager remained calm regarding Slott’s insinuations and refused to get involved in the controversy, but praised his coaching team after Isak made the decision not to use the tool.
The striker sustained a groin injury during the Reds’ Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek. Slott appeared after the game and hinted he had bought players from “smaller clubs” in what appeared to be a flimsy attack against Newcastle.
Howe told a pre-match press conference: “I don’t think it would be wise for me to get involved in those discussions. Alex is no longer at this football club and it’s best to keep his distance.”
In response to a question about the facilities, Howe said, “The facilities here are very good. They’re not perfect, and there are things that need to be improved and things that need to grow.”
“The owners here are developing the facility and you can see the construction work taking place, which we hope will help us further improve in the future.”
“But I have no complaints. We have elite athletes here, but a lot of them have touched the wood and are managing pretty well.”
When asked to defend the club’s position following Slott’s comments, Howe said: “I don’t think there’s a need to do that.”
When asked about Isak’s fitness and readiness, the Liverpool manager said: “I don’t think there’s a rule that all players are the same.
“But it also depends on what he did when he wasn’t training with the team and what the impact would be if he went to a new club as a big contract.
“So you can’t compare him to players who haven’t trained or played in pre-season at a smaller club than maybe going to Liverpool.
“There are a lot of factors that have to be taken into account, but there is no one thing that is possible or impossible. It’s a delicate balance. Some people miss pre-season and still make it through, while others unfortunately get injured again.”
