A bitter rift opened up between Liverpool and Newcastle supporters this summer as the Alexander Isak saga threatened to get out of control.
With Isak pushing hard to get his move to Anfield, Newcastle fans lost all respect for the Swede and aimed much of their frustration towards the Reds.
While Liverpool did little wrong in reality, anger spilled out from Tyneside, with the two sets of fans goading each other online and in person during August’s Premier League clash.
Ultimately, the saga ended with Liverpool getting their wish and Isak joining for a British record fee.
In his place, Newcastle spent big money to sign Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart. Woltemade has started well, scoring on his debut against Wolves with an excellent header.
And although Magpies fans have been quick to throw support behind their new hero, he has run the risk of upsetting them just like Isak after making some interesting comments about Liverpool.
Nick Woltemade raves about Anfield and Liverpool players
Liverpool were linked with Woltemade early in the summer before it became clear that Isak and Hugo Ekitike were their preferred targets.
And it seems that the 23-year-old would have loved to make the move to Anfield. Speaking in a Q&A with Sky Sports this weekend, Woltemade revealed that one of his favourite players is already with the Reds.
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“I think Flo Wirtz,” he said, when asked for the most talented player he has shared a pitch with.
“For me he’s such an amazing player. They put just a camera on him against Arsenal in the match, you can see he’s checking everywhere. I like his playing style, looking like smooth and he’s creative. In the national team he’s the best player that I’ve played with.”
Woltemade also conjured a Liverpool player when asked to name his favourite Premier League player of all-time.
“I’m [born in] 2002, so it’s hard. For me when I was growing up Ronaldo at Man United was amazing, but maybe Steven Gerrard or something,” he said.
“To be honest I always played with him on FIFA and he had an amazing shot. I like players who are full intensity and like shooting and I think he did it amazing.”
After naming Virgil van Dijk as his likely toughest opponent in England, Woltemade saved the best for last, picking Liverpool’s home as the away ground he is most looking forward to visiting this season.
“I would say Anfield,” he smiled. “Because Jurgen Klopp was there for a long time everybody in Germany likes Liverpool, so I think it’s going to be nice.”
Could Woltemade end up at Liverpool?
In isolation, Woltemade’s answers here do not make him a Liverpool fan, of course. But it is clear that the big striker has a soft spot for the Reds at the very least.
While that will potentially upset Newcastle supporters after their fury this summer, it does raise the question of whether Liverpool could snap Woltemade up in the future.
Unfortunately for the German, that seems highly unlikely at present. Liverpool have just shelled out almost £200m on Ekitike and Isak, and they will hope to have both around for many years to come.
Ekitike and Woltemade are the same age, meaning there is little chance of the latter being some sort of continuity plan either.
Of course, things can change quickly in football, though, and if the Germany international does well at St James’ Park – and one or both Liverpool strikers struggle for lift-off – you certainly can’t rule anything out.
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