Five days out from that game, Newcastle United have received a big fitness boost following pictures of Joe Willock in training with the squad. Willock hasn’t been seen in action since limping off during the final stages of their pre-season defeat against Team K-League in South Korea.

In another twist, Liverpool could finally be edging towards signing Alexander Isak with Newcastle set to bid again for Yoane Wissa. Marc Guehi also remains a target for the Premier League champions, but both deals look difficult to complete. Another forward on the move could be Nicolas Jackson, who Newcastle and Aston Villa admire.

In a recent segment on his Youtube channel, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano mentioned that Liverpool are ready to launch another move for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak this summer.

Pundit Don Hutchison has now taken to social media to suggest another striker Liverpool can move to sign – Julian Alvarez. The former Liverpool midfielder believes that Atletico Madrid star Alvarez is the man Liverpool really need, rather than Isak.

Newcastle deny giving Alexander Isak a commitment he could leave this summer as the striker pushes for a move to Liverpool and say they 'do not foresee' the player being sold as the conditions required for them to sanction a sale are unlikely to transpire ...

Liverpool have emerged as Isak’s priority for the new campaign and the 25-year-old – the Magpies’ top scorer with 27 goals last term – has been training alone after opting out of Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia.