Liverpool harm newest: Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and extra

Liverpool harm newest casts lengthy shadow over festive momentum

Liverpool head into the submit Christmas programme with renewed confidence and acquainted concern. The upward curve has been restored, again to again Premier League wins for the primary time since September, capped by a 2-1 victory over 9 man Tottenham. But as ever with Liverpool’s winter campaigns, progress has come at a value. Arne Slot’s facet emerged from North London with contemporary harm worries that threaten to form the weeks forward.

Wolves await at Anfield on December 27, a fixture Liverpool will strategy as sturdy favourites in opposition to a facet rooted to the underside of the desk. The broader context, nonetheless, is outlined by the rising listing within the therapy room. Arsenal, Manchester Metropolis and Aston Villa could also be inside attain, however the margin for error is narrowing as availability turns into as vital as kind.

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What follows is the most recent Liverpool harm replace, with return dates providing hope in some circumstances and uncertainty in others.

Alexander Isak blow reshapes Liverpool plans

The second that modified Liverpool’s season arc arrived simply 11 minutes after Alexander Isak entered the pitch at Tottenham. Introduced on so as to add innovative, he as an alternative turned the evening’s defining picture. Caught by Micky van de Ven as he gave Liverpool a 1-0 lead, Isak was unable to rejoice his third purpose of the season.

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After extended therapy, he was carried off with the help of Liverpool’s medical employees. Slot’s preliminary evaluation was blunt, describing it as “not a great factor” that the ahead couldn’t proceed. The severity quickly turned clear.

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Liverpool confirmed on Monday that Isak fractured his ankle and has undergone surgical procedure. A membership assertion learn: “After prognosis, an operation was accomplished in the present day on an ankle harm that included a fibula fracture.

“Isak’s rehabilitation will now proceed on the AXA Coaching Centre, with no timeframe but positioned on his return.”

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For a £125million signing, it is a main setback, each individually and structurally. Liverpool constructed attacking flexibility round Isak’s presence. Now they need to reimagine the stability, possible for months.

Potential return date: Unknown.

Defensive and midfield issues take a look at depth

Conor Bradley’s evening at Spurs was shorter than deliberate. Returning to the facet after lacking the Brighton win, the best again lasted solely till half time. A chase again on Djed Spence appeared to set off a hamstring difficulty, forcing Slot into an early reshuffle.

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Slot provided context reasonably than panic. “With Alex and with Conor, now we have to attend. You can see our bench in the present day however this isn’t the primary time. We aren’t the one crew that suffers accidents on this interval in England as a result of we play so many video games.

“It’s fairly regular that groups decide up accidents at the moment. We’re nonetheless choosing up factors and that’s the predominant factor.”

The tone suggests hope reasonably than alarm, however Liverpool can in poor health afford one other extended absence in huge defensive areas.

Joe Gomez’s scenario is extra acquainted and extra irritating. Beginning in opposition to Brighton, he lasted simply 26 minutes earlier than taking place off the ball. Remedy adopted, then the gradual stroll off. Slot confirmed on Friday: “Joe will not be within the squad as nicely for the weekend.”

Gomez’s season has been repeatedly disrupted, and this newest setback solely reinforces the sense of fragility round Liverpool’s defensive rotation.

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Potential return dates: Bradley unknown, Gomez unknown.

Attacking accidents complicate Liverpool choice

Florian Wirtz provided a reminder of his high quality at Spurs, claiming the help for Isak’s purpose. But whilst Liverpool ran down the clock, concern flickered. The German was seen rubbing his hamstring earlier than making approach for Trey Nyoni. No detailed replace adopted, and the substitution appeared precautionary, a luxurious Liverpool can scarcely afford within the present context.

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Jeremie Frimpong’s return, in contrast, was a small victory. Making his first look in two months, he entered on the hour and briefly raised hearts when he went down late on. Slot was fast to reassure. “No there isn’t any drawback in any respect,” he mentioned. “I didn’t need to go down for 30 seconds.”

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Cody Gakpo’s absence has been felt quietly however persistently. The muscle harm sustained within the 3-3 draw with Leeds has stored him out for 3 video games, but Slot provided encouragement forward of Spurs.

“He [Gakpo] had a scan that seemed promising in order that signifies that we aren’t that frightened anymore, as we had been possibly one or two weeks in the past.

“So which means he may come again a bit sooner than anticipated two weeks in the past, however that’s undoubtedly not tomorrow and in addition not subsequent week.”

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Potential return dates: Wirtz December 27 vs Wolves, Frimpong December 27 vs Wolves, Gakpo late December or early January.

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Long run absences underline Liverpool actuality

Wataru Endo’s harm was revealed alongside Gakpo’s replace, a reminder that squad gamers matter most when numbers skinny. Slot confirmed: “It’s going to be weeks [for Gakpo and Endo]. Cody has a muscle harm, and Wata has an ankle harm.”