Tino Livramento makes defiant Newcastle statement as true Alexander Isak feelings shared

Newcastle are yet to secure their first win of the new season amid speculation surrounding star striker Alexander Isak but Tino Livramento insists they have not been affected

Tino Livramento insists the Newcastle dressing room is stronger than ever. Newcastle have been in the eye of the storm all summer because of the Alexander Isak transfer saga.

The Newcastle striker has been pushing to leave St James’s Park as he has been eyeing a move to Premier League rivals Liverpool. That could easily have caused divisions among the players and fanbase with the their talisman going on strike, refusing to play and missing the start of the season.

But Livramento says Newcastle’s fight back against Liverpool – coming from 2-0 down before eventually losing 3-2 – shows the team are still very much together.

Newcastle defender Livramento says that has been the case all summer and, despite the Isak saga and soap opera, the players are stronger than ever.

Livramento said: “I think we have shown we are together, we are fighting for each other and I think we can come through it and show how strong we are as a unit.

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“It hasn’t changed anything in the changing room to be honest. I go in every single day with my teammates, they are my friends, there’s a great feel around the club and we are together.”

The atmosphere at St James’s Park was also red-hot on Monday night as the fans also put on a strong, defiant front. A banner was displayed on the Gallowgate which made it clear the team is not about one player, the team is united – just like the city.

That drove the players on even when they were 2-0 down and down to ten men after Anthony Gordon’s red card following a VAR check. England full back Livramento says that is when the team really showed their true spirit and determination to overcome the odds.

Livramento said: “When you go down to ten men, it’s all about mentality and togetherness as a team and you could see that in abundance.

Will Alexander Isak still be a Newcastle player when the window closes? Share your predictions in the comments below

“I thought we were the better team, we played really well and we have to take the positives from this game. We could definitely feel that, we were enjoying plating football and the reaction from the team was top level.”

Newcastle now face another major test against Leeds on Saturday on the back of taking just a point from their opening two games with Aston Villa and Liverpool.

They are also going to be without suspended England forward Gordon after his red card against Liverpool. On top of that, Sandro Tonali went off injured in the second half with a possible dislocated shoulder.

Midfielder Joelinton also went off with a suspected groin issue which leaves Eddie Howe ’s men desperately short especially on top of the uncertainty surrounding Isak.

Even if Isak ends up staying and being re-integrated into the set-up, Leeds would surely come too soon and it exposes Newcastle’s desperate need for reinforcements before the end of the window.

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