On Monday night, Liverpool departed St. James’ Park with maximum reward, but Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United tightened their bond with loyal supporters and once more highlighted their resilience and determination.

On the surface, two opening Premier League games yielding just one point feels disappointing for the Toon Army, but without a striker and hindered by the Alexander Isak saga overshadowing Newcastle’s summer dealings, the team have shown admirable unity against Aston Villa and the reigning champions.

The coming days should finally reveal if Isak stays or departs, with Yasir Al-Rumayyan present and fronting decisive discussions to reach a verdict.

If the unsettled Swedish forward is granted his wish, Newcastle would need two centre-forwards, a difficult challenge this late in a frantic transfer market.

Adding to the turmoil is Anthony Gordon’s dismissal, collected against Liverpool on Monday night.

Gordon apologised following the contest: he addressed the supporters, the club and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. His intentions were genuine. Nevertheless, he is suspended for three league matches: Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bournemouth.

That is problematic, for Gordon had deputised as Newcastle’s central striker, and without quick transfer business this week, Saturday’s clash at Elland Road will likely see William Osula make his first Premier League start.

The 24-year-old Gordon, Newcastle’s 2023/24 Player of the Season, failed to replicate the same sparkling form last campaign, but he returned for pre-season sharp and motivated, expected to play a key role this term.

Yet his temperament again faltered, this being his third red card in black and white.

Newcastle need results swiftly, and to achieve that, they must recruit a genuine number nine.

According to Lee Ryder of The Chronicle, Newcastle are preparing another approach for Wolves striker Jørgen Strand Larsen, after a £50m proposal was rejected on Monday. Talks for the Norwegian forward continue.

Earlier reports note that Wolves want £65m for the striker, signed permanently this summer after impressing on loan during 2024/25.

Ryder reports the 25-year-old Strand Larsen has been identified as Callum Wilson’s successor, following his summer departure, with Al-Rumayyan approving the deal.

Put differently, he is not seen as Isak’s replacement, and might even line up beside the Sweden international this season.

Though Newcastle have recruited several exciting players this summer, the central striker role remains unfilled, Wilson’s exit leaving a gap.

The England forward missed most of last season injured, so Strand Larsen would represent an imposing new option, having netted 14 times across his maiden Premier League campaign.

Consequently, Newcastle are unlikely to bring in both Strand Larsen and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, who wants to move north and has attracted an offer already turned down, though his club are unwilling to sell.

Strand Larsen could be the ideal alternative, potentially eclipsing the DR Congo attacker. Either way, the Norwegian seems an upgrade on Gordon, who excels but is not a natural striker.

Sofascore data shows Gordon has squandered three clear chances across his one-and-a-half Premier League outings this season, failing to score.

Ten attempts underline Gordon’s desire to fill the striker role, but compared with Strand Larsen’s direct finishing instincts, Howe would indeed gain an upgrade, since the Wolves forward is built to consistently score for a creative team like Newcastle.

Furthermore, FBref statistics reveal Strand Larsen ranked among the league’s top 1% strikers last year for shooting accuracy, with 61.1% of his attempts finding the target.

Besides, Gordon’s speed and dynamism are best deployed out wide, complementing a focal striker like Strand Larsen, who Alan Shearer praised last year as a “menace” up front, combining hold-up play with intelligent link-up.

Strand Larsen is unquestionably talented, and his debut season in English football confirmed he possesses the qualities to succeed as a first-choice forward at top level.

Newcastle, of course, are chasing loftier ambitions, but he still looks a superb fit for Howe’s side, who clearly need a clinical goalscorer to improve on Gordon, who has shown lately that centre-forward is not his best role.