Anthony Gordon admits Alexander Isak saga has 'tested' Newcastle United's togetherness following draw with Aston Villa
Updated 18/08/2025 at 11:28 GMT+1
A Newcastle United side without Alexander Isak were held to a 0-0 draw against 10-man Aston Villa in their opening game of the Premier League season. Anthony Gordon filled in the striker role for Eddie Howe as the ongoing Alexander Isak saga means the Swede is nowhere near the first team. Gordon admitted the situation has "tested" the players and their togetherness.
Gordon insists 'difficult' Isak situation will bring Newcastle squad closer together
Video credit: TNT Sports
Anthony Gordon admitted that the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Alexander Isak has "tested" Newcastle United as they try to retain their togetherness.
The 25-year-old striker is pushing for a move away from St James’ Park with Liverpool his preferred destination.
The Reds saw a reported bid of £110 million rejected by Newcastle for the Swede, who missed all of The Magpies' pre-season tour and was not part of the club's Premier League opener against Aston Villa.
Eddie Howe has made it clear his side have to shut out the Isak speculation, and in their 0-0 draw with Villa he deployed Gordon in the central role that Isak occupies.
"It has been difficult because we're a tight-knit group," Gordon told TNT Sports.
"We've never really had any problems publicly and that being the first that's happened has tested us. But you see today we've still got that spirit and togetherness."
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He added: "We work on it every day and it's never gonna go away regardless of individuals. We're a top group, our togetherness is top and it always will be.
"Things like this can sort of battle-test and make you better in the end and I think that's the case."
Adding another twist in the tale is that Newcastle and Liverpool, who won their opening fixture against Bournemouth, face each other on August 25.
With Isak adding a layer of intensity, Liverpool will also want to rectify their last match against Howe's side when they lost in the Carabao Cup final last season.
"I think with everything that's gone on the atmosphere is going to be a bit wild," Gordon added. "I'm just excited to see the home fans again and get back in the stadium. It's gonna be a top game."
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Howe hoping Isak situation ‘resolved quickly’, as he looks forward to ‘spicy’ Liverpool game
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Howe once again was asked for an update on Isak, and said he hopes the situation is resolved quickly so he can focus on what happens on the pitch.
"It’s a difficult one to answer," the Newcastle boss said. "I hope it’s resolved quickly because it’s news around us all the time rather than focusing on what we need to do on the pitch.
"All the things that go into a performance today, the players managed to shut that out and just perform. We’ve done that consistently so the players are going to continue to do that and we could do without the narrative against us but what will be will be."
With Gordon starting in the striker role instead of Isak, Howe praised the 24-year-old's performance and the differences he brings to the position.
"I thought he did really well," he said. "I thought he looked a real threat. He plays it [the striker role] uniquely to him, he’s less of a focal point and more of a drifter across the pitch, but he’s got pace and he runs in behind and he causes teams problems in that respect.
"No better example of that was the sending off."
Newcastle next face defending champions Liverpool, and by August 25, there may be another chapter in Isak's transfer story and the rivalry between the two clubs.
"I think it’s always spicy against Liverpool, there’s a history with the fixture anyway," Howe said. "It’s been an unbelievable fixture over the Premier League years so we’ll look forward to it.
"We respect them and know how good they are but hopefully off the back of today, we’re ready for it."
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