The Mag
·23 August 2025
Arne Slot – This is the Premier League, we have a lot of options and Newcastle have them as well

In partnership with
Yahoo sportsThe Mag
·23 August 2025
Arne Slot has been talking about Newcastle United.
Liverpool travelling to Tyneside on Monday night for an 8pm kick-off.
Arne Slot had a triumphant first season in England, winning the Premier League title.
In the matches though against Newcastle United, it was mixed fortunes for the new Liverpool boss.
Arne Slot seeing a 3-3 draw at St James’ Park, followed up by a 2-0 win for Liverpool at Anfield.
Newcastle United though dominant at Wembley in the League Cup final, with the scousers lucky to only lose 2-1.
For all kinds of reasons Monday night suggests another massive match lies ahead between the two clubs…
“I don’t think Newcastle United are a club with troubles.
“They had a very good start to the season against [Aston] Villa, a good game for them. I think they were able to get more out of the game than the one point they got.
“So, it’s mainly difficult because of the players they have there – not only because of the fans but the atmosphere is great, like it is at Anfield.
“So, we are used to a certain environment but St. James’ Park, if I just remember last season when it was an evening game as well, by the way, the atmosphere was amazing and it will be the same.
“But why the atmosphere is amazing [is] because the players can perform, they can add to the atmosphere by being as intense as they were, bringing the quality as they brought in that game. So, that’s going to be the challenge.
“The challenge is also playing in a stadium where the fans will be there for the home team, and that always helps every home team. I can tell you about us, so the last 15 to 20 minutes at Anfield, it wasn’t a coincidence that we scored twice (against Bournemouth) because the fans helped us in that moment of time. But if you only have fans and you don’t have the players then you can forget it.
“The main thing we have to be ready for are their midfielders, their last line, their three forwards, although I assume – I’m not sure but I assume – [Alexander] Isak is not playing from what I read in the media.
“But they still have Anthony Gordon as a nine, they still have [Anthony] Elanga as a right-winger and [Harvey] Barnes from the left, and then Jacob Murphy isn’t even playing, who was very good against us twice last season.
“This is the Premier League, we have a lot of options and Newcastle have them as well.”
Arne Slot on what he expects from Newcastle United on Monday night:
“I think if you go to Newcastle you know what to expect.
“We played them three times last season and twice their intensity levels were above ours. In the away game, especially in the first 60 minutes, they were so, so, so intense and fully deserved to have the lead.
“In the League Cup final, they were more intense than us as well. So, I don’t think they need anything to add for them to be intense if they play at St. James’ Park.
“Apart from the intensity, it’s a very good team, they have also a team that can make it a fight if you want to call it like this, they have players for this but they also have players that are so comfortable on the ball.
“So, one of the best teams in the league and one of the most difficult away games you can have in the season, especially as you say here, ‘under the lights’.”
Arne Slot on having extended time to train with the players between games:
“It is helpful but we did have a good pre-season; we had six weeks compared to last season when we only had two. We had six weeks as well, but only two with most of the players, so we’ve had our time to train already and I think that is also what you could see in the Bournemouth game because if you look at the data and running stats, it was the most intense game that was played at the weekend.
Live