Newcastle continue to insist that Isak is not for sale as they try - and fail - to sign a replacement, having already seen Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all reject a move to St James' Park.

The 25-year-old was absent throughout Newcastle 's entire pre-season programme initially due to a thigh problem, though latterly it became entirely transfer-related. In his bid to engineer a switch to Liverpool, the striker has been instructed to train in isolation whilst reportedly declaring he will never play for Eddie Howe's team again.

Liverpool have just two weeks left of the transfer window, and Arne Slot may have to axe more fringe players to make way for Alexander Isak or Marc Guehi to be signed