Newcastle United star Jacob Murphy received a mention from Liverpool manager Arne Slot under 24 hours before Mohamed Salah hinted he could leave the club.
Much to the delight of Newcastle United fans no doubt, Alexander Isak is struggling at Liverpool.
Isak made Newcastle angry before he left the club for Anfield and while these are still early days in his Reds career, Toon supporters could be forgiven for enjoying his lack of goals.
Who was your MOTM vs Burnley?!
Hard to pick one!
Indeed, Newcastle fans have joked that Isak is missing Murphy at Liverpool, with the two building up a brilliant connection over the years at St James’ Park.
In total, Murphy and Isak combined for 13 goals in 85 appearances together.
When asked to explain Isak’s struggles, Slot admitted that Liverpool just don’t have a player like Murphy available right now.
Arne Slot says Liverpool don’t have a player like Jacob Murphy
Speaking ahead of his side’s 3-3 draw with Leeds on Sunday, Slot namechecked Murphy in his pre-match press conference.
The Dutchman admitted that his squad, one packed to the rafters with supreme talent, does not have a player of Murphy’s profile in it right now.
“The main difference for him is that we are facing a low block many times. It is not that it never happened at Newcastle but not as much, I think,” said Slot of Isak (via The Guardian).
“This season the league has changed, we see so many more low blocks than last season. But I see this not only against us, I see this in many games.
“It makes it harder for him compared to his time at Newcastle but I think it is also him adjusting to his teammates and his teammates adjusting to him. But it is obvious and clear that we have not the profile of Jacob Murphy, for example, available at this moment at this time.”
Less than 24 hours later, Salah – who was dropped for the Leeds game – suggested he does not know what the future holds after a breakdown in his relationship with Slot.
Clearly, the two sets of comments aren’t directly connected, but it is fascinating to hear Slot claim Liverpool don’t have a player like Murphy. Few could have imagined a Liverpool manager ever saying that a few years ago.
Who could ever have imagined it would play out like this? 😂
ICYMI: Hours before Jacob Murphy didn't even get on the pitch for Newcastle vs Burnley, Arne Slot said Liverpool don't have a player like him!
“It is obvious and clear that we have not [got] the profile of Jacob Murphy, for example, available at this moment in time.”
Arne Slot speaking about Alexander Isak’s struggles in his pre-match press conference on 5/12/2025
Newcastle United owners PIF are keen to sign Mohamed Salah for one of their other clubs
Furthermore, there is a relative amount of Newcastle interest in the huge Salah news.
According to BBC Sport, the Newcastle United owners could get involved. PIF, of course, also own Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and they are reportedly keen to sign Salah.
“I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship,” said Salah in the mixed zone among journalists after Liverpool’s draw with Leeds.
“I don’t know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.
“This club, I always support it. My kids will always support it. I love the club so much. I will always do. I called my mum yesterday – you guys didn’t know if I would start or not, but I knew.
“Yesterday I said to them, come to the Brighton game [on 13 December]. I don’t know if I am going to play or not, but I am going to enjoy it. In my head, I’m going to enjoy that game because I don’t know what is going to happen now.
“I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to Africa Cup of Nations. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”
PIF and Liverpool have done business before. Earlier this summer, they brought Darwin Nunez to the Saudi Pro League from Anfield.