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Revealed: The real reason Alexander Isak was left out of Newcastle's 4-0 defeat by Celtic - amid interest from Liverpool who were willing to smash British transfer record for star striker

Newcastle kicked off their pre-season preparations with a crushing 4-0 defeat to Celtic but much of the focus as the game kicked off was on an absentee from the Magpies squad.

Talismanic striker Alexander Isak was nowhere to be seen as the Premier League side's starting XI and substitutes were announced prior to the game.

Isak's name has flooded the back pages over the past week following reported interest from Liverpool.

The Reds look to have turned their attention to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, who Newcastle have also been targeting.