The Reds saw a reported bid of £110 million that was rejected by Newcastle for the Swedes.
“We were a close group so it was difficult,” Gordon told TNT Sports.
“We’ve never had any problems publicly and what first happened tested us, but today we can see that we still have a sense of unity with that spirit.”
He added:
“Things like this can do some kind of combat testing and ultimately make you better. I think so.”
Another twist to the story is that Newcastle and Liverpool face each other on August 25th, having acquired an opening fixture for Bournemouth.
With ISAK adding a layer of strength, Liverpool wants to correct their final match against Hau’s side when they lost in the Carabao Cup final last season.
“I think everything we did in the atmosphere will be a little wild,” Gordon added. “I’m excited to see home fans again and return to the stadium. It’s going to be a top game.”
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Hau hopes Isaac’s situation will be “resolved soon” as he looks forward to the “spicy” Liverpool game
Video Credit: TNT Sports
Hau said he was once again asked for updates from ISAK and hopes the situation will be resolved quickly so that he can focus on what will happen on the pitch.
“It’s difficult to answer,” said the Newcastle boss. “It’s not focusing on what we need to do on the pitch, it’s because it’s always the news around us.
“Everything that appears in today’s performance allowed players to shut it down and perform. We’ve done it consistently, so players can continue to do it and without a story about us, but what will happen?”
As Gordon started out as a striker role in place of Isaac, Howe praised the 24-year-old performance and the differences he makes to the position.
“I thought he did really well,” he said. “I thought he looked like a real threat. He played it on him (the role of striker) on his own, and he’s more of a drifter than a focus across the pitch, but he has the pace and he causes team problems in that regard.
“A good example was not a send-out.”
Newcastle Next Face Defending Champion Liverpool, by August 25th, there may be another chapter in Isaac’s transfer story and rivalry between the two clubs.
“I think it’s always tough for Liverpool. I have a history of fixtures anyway,” Howe said. “It was an incredible fixture for Premier League years, so I look forward to it.
“We respect them and know how good they are, but hopefully we’ll get out of the back of today and we’re ready for that.”
