Eddie Howe refused to get dragged into a row with Arne Slot after his comments about Newcastle being a ‘smaller club’ - but he defended the club’s care of their ‘elite players’.
The Liverpool boss has suggested that Newcastle’s treatment of Isak during his summer strike led to him being unconditioned when he arrived on Merseyside.
Isak suffered a groin injury at Frankfurt on Wednesday and now faces a period on the sidelines, having scored just one goal from eight appearances since his £125million move to Anfield.
Slot said: ‘I don't think there's a rule that every single player has the same (pre-season preparation). But it also depends on what he did when he didn't train with the team, what the impact is if you go to a new club as a big signing.
'So you cannot compare, maybe a player who hasn't trained or played in pre-season at a smaller club than if you go to Liverpool.’
Howe would not rise to Slot’s accusations, but said: ‘The set-up is here is very good. It is not perfect, we've got things to improve and to grow. But the owners here have developed the facilities since I've been here very, very well.
'You can see there is building work going on currently to hopefully deliver even better in the future. But I have no complaints. We've got elite athletes here, many of them, and touch wood, we're managing them pretty well at the moment.’
Howe was asked if he would go into bat for supporters and defend the size of his club, after the fanbase were irritated by Slot’s claims. It was put to Howe that Newcastle are currently eighth in the Champions League table, ahead of Liverpool, and beat them in last season’s Carabao Cup final.
‘I like the way you’ve worded that… encouraging me to go into bat!’ he laughed. ‘I don’t have to do that, I don’t feel. You’ve done it for me, reeling off all those things! But you obviously know what my answer would be.’
Earlier, when asked to respond to Slot, Howe said: ‘I don't think that's wise for me to get involved in those discussions. Alex is no longer at this football club, so I won't comment on it.’
kmuguna
1
well, it's not fair for a manager to belittle another club bearing in mind that the same club has beaten us not once. Apologies to magipies
kmuguna
1
In a odd in isak line there do lined do lined there all line do who play do no zero minutes on bench do line there all line, in a hand shake do beads line do line a small top drum do lined all line there do line .
I like the way you keep repeating this comment although I've never understood it
bwambamo
2
Lately Liverpool has definitely been shrinking down to our level. Actually below us in the Champions League. Sad your gigantic club isn’t as good as this small club!
which good Newcastle has become.? being ahead of Liverpool in the Champions League after just 3 rounds doesn't help u in bridging the gap. OK how many champions league trophies have you won.? I can even bet my life Liverpool is gonna finish ahead of Newcastle after all rounds played. Just know that form is temporary and class is permanent.
Wamiklmsty
0
Well, that may appear disrespectful, but it is the plain truth, just that not all truths are to be spoken openly, for now Liverpool is a massive club in terms of everything, Newcastle have rich owners now and may catch up, that should take a minimum of half a century
Liverpool has played like a small club for the past month. Welcome to the ‘small club’ club!
Helderp73770
2
the manager of a small team is annoyed that someone called his team small😂
hen2020
0
In a odd in isak line there do lined do lined there all line do who play do no zero minutes on bench do line there all line, in a hand shake do beads line do line a small top drum do lined all line there do line .
Wamiklmsty
0
Guys hate to hear the truth. Newcastle is forever small as compared to Liverpool.
Lately Liverpool has definitely been shrinking down to our level. Actually below us in the Champions League. Sad your gigantic club isn’t as good as this small club!
GaGa2022
0
Small club !! Isak also got that in his head n couldn't perform ! of course amongst the champion!!
bwambamo
3
Guys hate to hear the truth. Newcastle is forever small as compared to Liverpool.
my-blood-is-red
0
you have a point in what you're saying...but that wasn't regarding to what slot is saying....you're point is comparing the two club with their achievement aim an philosophies their different perspective yes he would get sack yes he would granted a new contract...but what slot is referring is the player coming from a small club an due to their management of Isak let him can't perform at the same rate he was at the small club when he's at Liverpool....which NCFC isn't a small club...and that shouldn't be the case either way...cause 99% of the biggest player was coming from a small club
As a liverpool fan you're very much correct
my-blood-is-red
2
Well, that may appear disrespectful, but it is the plain truth, just that not all truths are to be spoken openly, for now Liverpool is a massive club in terms of everything, Newcastle have rich owners now and may catch up, that should take a minimum of half a century
Half century [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Owere121
0
.My naija people D.M for sure correct score 081gg09949gg161
Owere121
0
.My naija people D.M for sure correct score 081gg09949gg161
6TBASH✅
4
I really like edi howes mentality He's a big man and he spoke with his brain ✅
Diaabltyz
1
Even that's the truth, it was pretty insulting and insensitive.
Lordy2099
4
Well, that may appear disrespectful, but it is the plain truth, just that not all truths are to be spoken openly, for now Liverpool is a massive club in terms of everything, Newcastle have rich owners now and may catch up, that should take a minimum of half a century
Barakamortalcombat11
0
Slot losing streak is really affecting him that he doesn't know what to say in conference.
I don’t think so. This streak is very temporary no matter how long or games we are going to lose.
Williamslad
1
Slot losing streak is really affecting him that he doesn't know what to say in conference.
Everblessed10
5
Good for you Howe to be the wiser and bigger person in the room and don’t fall into that trap.
KylieJones
0
I don't see this as a big deal. Standing in the capacity as a coach of a giant club like Liverpool, Newcastle will be viewed as a smaller club. With the exception of their history and achievements, even currently, Newcastle is measured as a smaller club when comparing them to Liverpool. If Newcastle managed to sit between 3rd to 4th place in the EPL for 5 consecutive seasons, the coach will be rewarded with a new improved contract, whereas, Liverpool's coach might be sacked for achieving the same results. Their seasons objectives are very low with little expectations than that of bigger clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern, etc.
you have a point in what you're saying...but that wasn't regarding to what slot is saying....you're point is comparing the two club with their achievement aim an philosophies their different perspective yes he would get sack yes he would granted a new contract...but what slot is referring is the player coming from a small club an due to their management of Isak let him can't perform at the same rate he was at the small club when he's at Liverpool....which NCFC isn't a small club...and that shouldn't be the case either way...cause 99% of the biggest player was coming from a small club
KylieJones
2
That's totally disrespectful sooner you'll say we citizens,Stanford Bridge and the Gunners is small club due to FA premier league history or a should say Barclay league history..plus that's not something for you to brag about that's the club's fans and past players history yes you made 1 additional to it so does Howie for NCFC an to add salt to the wombs he even beats you in a final...that's disrespectful to the club calling them a small club...everyone knows they're class as big 6 an mid table an lower table but NCFC wasn't a mid table or lower table you could class them in the big 6 an every year 1 of the big 6 under perform an look like a mid table squad that still wouldn't give you no reason to class them...look at man united history over the last 10 years yet nobody would ever class them due to their historic history in fact NCFC have their history so all that was coming out of slot's mouth is totally rubbish u making excuses for your downfall an failure to make Isak perform because you don't wanna look like you buy a flop player for British record...look at Grealish to man city,I've never heard Pep criticize Villa as a small club respect is due were its given ultimate respect to Pep...yet still he got what he buy Grealish for...it wasn't goals or assist just carrying out the coach instructions that's what he was paid for...
Mokeinpst
6
I don't see this as a big deal. Standing in the capacity as a coach of a giant club like Liverpool, Newcastle will be viewed as a smaller club. With the exception of their history and achievements, even currently, Newcastle is measured as a smaller club when comparing them to Liverpool. If Newcastle managed to sit between 3rd to 4th place in the EPL for 5 consecutive seasons, the coach will be rewarded with a new improved contract, whereas, Liverpool's coach might be sacked for achieving the same results. Their seasons objectives are very low with little expectations than that of bigger clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern, etc.
Frankaay™
2
slot need to focus on winning a match in the league and shut the hell up 🙄
Exactly. Keep whining and moaning about other people's things and what they are doing.
kontext
4
slot need to focus on winning a match in the league and shut the hell up 🙄