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Alexander Isak ruffled some Geordie feathers by forcing through his move to Liverpool from Newcastle. But by and large, the players do not appear to share in the fans' rage — after Anthony Elanga broke his silence while on international duty with his compatriot, a senior player at St James' Park has become the latest to speak out.
Amusingly from a Liverpool perspective, there has been something of a witch hunt in corners of the Magpies fanbase, with online amateur detectives tracking down who exactly has liked and replied to Isak's posts since his transfer. Much to their chagrin, many Newcastle stars have sent him on his way with well-wishes.
Sven Botman was particularly effusive in his public farewell, prompting accusations that he had failed to read the room. Meanwhile, Hugo Ekitike is among those to have liked Isak's posts from the Anfield side.
That will no doubt wind up Newcastle fans as well, given that there was bullish talk earlier in the summer that Ekitike would be playing alongside Isak at St James' Park. Instead, they have both ended up at Liverpool.
But after Anthony Gordon had talked about an added edge to the game against Liverpool (before promptly getting sent off), the sudden fondness of the internal farewells to Isak are what have truly gone down like a lead balloon on Tyneside. The official statement might have been petty, but at least reflected the mood accurately.
In the latest blow to supporters, lifelong Newcastle fan Dan Burn has become the latest to play down the tensions. Currently away on England duty, the center-back insisted that there is no animosity toward his "mate" Isak.
"I am glad it is done," conceded Burn, via the BBC. "We wanted the transfer window closed to have a bit of clarity on it.
"I have been in football long enough to understand that for a player, the careers are short and they have got things they want to achieve. Alex is a mate and it is a tough situation because you want him to be around and helping the team, but also understand for him what he needs to do personally.
"I have nothing but good wishes for Alex. No animosity."
Of course, it was not so long ago that the shoe was on the other foot. Liverpool fans had to put up with a distinct lack of needle toward Trent Alexander-Arnold from within the dressing room — not to mention the entire pundit class coming together to tell supporters they should be waving him off teary-eyed as he ditched his boyhood club for Real Madrid.
It is only natural that supporters feel hurt, and want players to share that emotion. Burn himself went on to acknowledge as much:
"As a Newcastle fan, we are very protective of our club and city and we want players to be there who want to play for Newcastle and you don't want them to naively think that there is anyone else to go apart from Newcastle," he explained. "So I understand why our fans are frustrated."
But even boyhood fans like Burn are ultimately still only doing their jobs. Once in a blue moon, you might get someone like Daniel Agger — complete with his YNWA knuckle tattoo — throwing elbows at Fernando Torres, but that's certainly the exception rather than the rule.
Yet even with the reconciliatory remarks from Burn and others, it's still bound to be another tasty encounter when Liverpool and Newcastle next meet in January. A fixture that has never been short of fireworks could now be even more lively for the foreseeable future.
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