Fans were all annoyed at the same thing during Newcastle vs Liverpool on Monday night.
Ahead of Newcastle and Liverpool’s Premier League fixture on Monday, the main talking point was Alexander Isak’s situation.
As you may well know, Isak has been the subject of interest from Liverpool throughout the summer transfer window.
Earlier in August, Liverpool lodged a £110m plus add-ons bid for the Sweden international, which was rebuffed by the Northeast club – although the Premier League champions’ interest remains as the September 1st transfer deadline approaches.
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The Magpies reportedly want at least £150m for Isak before they even consider selling him to Liverpool.
Ahead of the fixture, former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry issued his thoughts on the situation as the Swede was once again omitted from Eddie Howe’s squad.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Henry said: “All I say is, at one point, you cannot put yourself in the situation where you don't come to training.
"I think the best thing for him, for everybody, is if he can leave. But I also do believe that, when someone makes a mistake - if he sees it as a mistake after - and he apologises, then we can move on. If he starts to score goals and play the same way as last year, Newcastle fans will be okay about it.
"The best thing for me, right now, the best for Newcastle and Liverpool, is if he goes. But if someone apologises, if it's seen as a mistake, I would accept it if I was the club. But he needs to apologise if he wants to come back."
Another subplot to the fixture related to now-Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike, who was heavily linked with Newcastle before ultimately choosing to sign for the Merseyside club this summer.
However, despite the narrative ahead of the game, fans on social media quickly turned their attention to the referee’s performance, with some accusing Simon Hooper of ‘ruining the game’ and not allowing the action to flow on an intense night on Tyneside.
One fan said: “The referee in Newcastle vs Liverpool is having a tough time. He can’t handle it. He’s ruining the game by blowing the whistle so much.”
Another added: “Ref is ruining this game. Game of the week and he's stopping it every chance he can get. PGMOL should be pulled up on this by the league. It's ruining the spectacle every week.”
A third claimed: “Referee ruined whatever expectations there were for this game by giving a foul for everything. Worst referee ever to be put on a game like this.”
All eyes were on Hooper just before half-time when Anthony Gordon mistimed a tackle on Virgil van Dijk, which the ref initially deemed to be worthy of a yellow card. However, after being sent to the VAR monitor, he upgraded his decision to a red card, leaving Newcastle down to ten men.
Topics: Newcastle United, Liverpool, Premier League, Football, Alexander Isak
Luke Davies