An August trip to St James’ Park for Liverpool and an occasion that threatened to revolve around Alexander Isak. Not just this Sunday, either. A year ago, the reigning champions’ trip to Tyneside came when the Swede was the on-strike striker, subject of a tug of war that, arguably, both Liverpool and Newcastle lost. Isak was conspicuous by his absence, meeting the United hierarchy earlier in the day, telling them he wanted to leave.
A spectacular game featured a goal by the striking signing who did prove a success for Liverpool, in Hugo Ekitike, and the player who ended the season as Newcastle’s first-choice No 9, in Will Osula. It was decided in dramatic fashion by Rio Ngumoha, a 16-year-old scoring in the 100th minute.
