Liverpool are said to have reacted to Newcastle shutting the door on Isak talks by launching a bid for Ekitike, and Fabrizio Romano reports on Thursday morning that they are now ahead of the Magpies in the race to sign the French forward. The Reds expect to sign Ekitike if all hopes of an Isak deal end.

A nthony Elanga labelled Alexander Isak as “one of the best players in the world” as he prepares to work with his international team-mate at Newcastle. The 23-year-old winger completed his move to Tyneside last Friday and is united with fellow Sweden international Isak, who has been at the heart of transfer speculation this summer.