Alexander Isak will look to draw inspiration from his fellow striker as he prepares to face his former club this weekend.
The Swedish forward is set to step onto the pitch at St James’ Park for the first time since his departure from Newcastle, having completed a record-breaking move to Liverpool worth £125million last September. Sunday’s Premier League opener will see Isak lead Liverpool’s attack against his former employers.
The 26-year-old’s extended transfer saga created tension between him and the Newcastle supporters, despite once being regarded as a hero in the North East. The atmosphere at St James’ Park is expected to be intensely hostile, but Hugo Ekitike demonstrated last season how to cope with such an environment. Although the Frenchman will miss this match through injury, he made quite an impression during his initial appearance at the venue as a Liverpool player.
Ekitike, 23, faced a hostile reception from home fans after rejecting Newcastle the previous summer to complete his £79million switch to Liverpool. The jeering failed to affect him as he found the net during a 3-2 victory secured by Rio Ngumoha’s stoppage-time strike.
When questioned earlier this year about the potential for similar treatment during the return fixture at Anfield, Ekitike remained unfazed, stating he simply does not care about such reception. He explained he plays for Liverpool and has his own supporters, noting they had already visited Newcastle and won, expressing hope for a productive week of preparation. The forward emphasized his focus remains on playing and helping the team, describing his decision to join Liverpool as straightforward despite the close connection with Newcastle. He acknowledged the importance of fan support, stating supporters provide tremendous energy.
Ekitike endured mocking from the away section but ultimately had the final word as his two goals inspired Liverpool to a 4-1 victory that completed a double over Newcastle. While Isak is anticipated to encounter an even more hostile reception given his deeper connection to the club, adopting his team-mate’s mindset would serve him well.
The striker struggled with injuries throughout the previous campaign, managing just four goals in 22 appearances across all competitions. However, he recovered in time for Sweden’s World Cup participation and featured consistently throughout pre-season, setting the foundation for what supporters anticipate will be a resurgence in form.