Newcastle’s forceful answer to Liverpool’s effort to snatch their top player began hours before the match in a tranquil neighborhood in Northumberland.

Though the clandestine meeting between club executives and Alexander Isak at his residence was intended to be kept quiet, the scenario at St James’ Park was far from subtle.

‘Get into them,’ proclaimed the Wor Flags banner in the East Stand, signaling a battle cry. Newcastle heeded the call and engaged Liverpool relentlessly. Parking the bus wasn’t in their plan against one of the country’s premier teams; instead, they countered with a black-and-white convoy.

Despite Isak’s refusal to play, the 10-man Newcastle squad was resilient. From trailing 0-2 to leveling at 2-2, it was a stunning turn of events, one they hope Isak mirrors with a spirited return. Yet, their resolve was tested as Liverpool claimed a last-minute goal in the 100th minute.

The crowd applauded their valiant efforts, but Isak’s presence is crucial. When Gordon lost his composure in the first-half injury time, his reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk resulted in a red card and compromised his team.

Gordon, the temporary striker filling the void left by Isak, will be sidelined for three games. Until his dismissal, he was a whirlwind of determination. His efforts were rendered void when referee Simon Hooper showed him the red card.

Liverpool were already 1-0 up and, were it not for Gordon’s indiscretion, the half-time analysis might as well have been a rerun of last weekend’s opening-day draw at Aston Villa – played well, did not score. 

A blind man on a galloping horse can see what Newcastle are missing – and if he could hop off and cause havoc in the six-yard box, he might well get a game. Saying that, William Osula – who poked in for 2-2 in the 88th minute – could yet be that man in the interim.

But there was already a desperate need to persuade Isak to return to the squad before a ball had been kicked, which is why co-owner Jamie Reuben and director Jacobo Solis, of PIF, spoke to him yesterday afternoon in his living-room. The nature of two points left behind at Aston Villa, followed by another week without a new striker, means that the world-class one they already have must be told he is going nowhere.

The idea that he would not be welcomed by supporters surely went out of the window here – they will have him back through the front door, and so would his team-mates. 

Yes, it would need some careful PR – apologies and the like – but it would be those of a Newcastle persuasion soon saying ‘thank you’ if Isak started doing what he does best. Catches win matches and goals win games. The frustration is that the fella who has scored 62 of them for the club is currently training alone in the early-evening sun. They need him back in the heat of the battle at 3pm.

Such was the absence of any presence in the centre-forward position after Gordon was sent off – before Osula’s introduction, at least – there were discussions in the press box and beyond of Joelinton being sent back up front. It had come to something when the idea of returning the big cat midfielder to a position in which he had previously played like a kitten was gathering genuine support. Something is better than nothing being the logic.

Even with 11 men, though, chances came and chances went, just as they did at Villa. Gordon had a trio of headers that went close and the front three, completed by wingers Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga, were a nuisance. But for Liverpool, it was an itch that was satisfied by a scratch. It was only when chaos took charge in the second half that they became distressed.

And that is the worry for a Newcastle side who have started the season with spirit and cohesion despite a nightmare summer – they have played well enough to win both of their opening matches. What they need is a striker. What they need is a goalscorer. What they need is Alexander Isak to swap his living-room for the dressing-room.