A lexander Isak returned to Newcastle United on Monday but his future at St James' Park remains uncertain amid interest from Liverpool. The Swede had been training on his own at the complex of former club, Real Sociedad, while his teammates continued their pre-season schedule.

Liverpool is watching Newcastle's attempt to sign Benjamin Sesko very closely. It could impact the bid to sign Alexander Isak, after an apparent Magpies U-turn.

That ‘could be music to the ears of Liverpool fans’ who managed to avoid those silence-breaking quotes which were made 16 days ago and have since been proven largely redundant because they are still not “close to finalising the next step for the player” at all. But it doesn’t feel likely.