Howe dismisses Slot's 'smaller club' jibe as Newcastle move on from Isak saga

Eddie Howe brushed aside Liverpool manager Arne Slot's comments about Newcastle United being a "smaller club", refusing to be drawn into a war of words over the Alexander Isak transfer saga.

Slot's remarks came after the Swedish striker, who completed a British record 125 million pounds ($168 million) move to Anfield following a summer-long transfer tussle, suffered a groin injury.

Slot had previously said: "You cannot compare a player who maybe hasn't trained or played in pre-season for a smaller club to then go to Liverpool."

Isak was frozen out of the Newcastle squad and trained alone while awaiting his Merseyside switch.

Isak, who has yet to score for Liverpool in the Premier League or Champions League, suffered a setback when he came off in their midweek win over Eintracht Frankfurt and is a doubt for the weekend.

Although Slot's comments did not sit well with Newcastle fans, the club's manager did not engage.

"I don't think that's wise for me to get involved in those discussions. Alex is no longer at this football club, so I won't comment on it," Howe said when pressed by reporters on Friday, ahead of Saturday's home game against Fulham.

"I think the set-up (training facilities) here is very good. It's not perfect. We've got things to improve and to grow, but the club and the owners here have developed the facilities since I've been here very, very well.

"You can see there's building work going on currently to hopefully help us deliver even better in the future. But I've got no complaints. We've got elite athletes here, many of them."

HOWE PLEASED WITH WOLTEMADE

While Liverpool grapple with their expensive acquisition's early struggles, Newcastle appear to have found a gem in Isak's replacement Nick Woltemade, who has hit