Liverpool forward Alexander Isak is a doubt for Brighton’s visit to Anfield on Saturday after picking up a knock against Inter on Tuesday.
Alexander Isak Injury Concern for Liverpool vs Brighton
Liverpool star Alexander Isak has emerged as a doubt for Saturday’s clash against Brighton.
Arne Slot confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the Sweden international picked up a knock during the 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Dutchman said: “Alex also got a knock in the first half, so let’s see how he has recovered from that today – if he’s able to start tomorrow and, if he’s able, I make the decision to start them [Isak and Hugo Ekitike] again together, or we do it in a different way.”
Isak was substituted for Florian Wirtz after 68 minutes at the San Siro, before Dominik Szoboszlai converted from the spot with two minutes of normal time remaining to seal all three points.
Liverpool are now in ninth place in the league phase table, just outside the direct qualification positions for the last-16, and are at 10/1 in the Champions League winner betting odds market.
Slot also provided an update on Mohamed Salah, who was omitted from the squad for the trip to Italy over his explosive comments, with his involvement for this weekend still uncertain.
The ex-Feyenoord manager is set to hold crunch talks with the winger on Friday.
He told members of the media at the AXA Training Centre: “I will have a conversation with Mo. The outcome of that conversation determines how things will look [on Saturday].”
Salah is being heavily linked with a move away from Anfield in January due to the dispute. A move to the Saudi Pro League is most likely, according to the Mo Salah next club odds market.
Should he leave this winter, the Seagulls’ visit will likely be Salah’s last game for Liverpool. The 33-year-old is set to link up with the Egypt national team for AFCON on Monday.
Liverpool Injury Update: Chiesa, Gakpo and Endo Latest
We revealed on Thursday that Federico Chiesa ‘should be back in contention’ for Saturday, and Slot has since confirmed that the Italian has recovered from illness and is back in training.
He said: “Federico is not ill anymore. He trained yesterday and he trained today again, so I assume he’s ready to be in the squad tomorrow again.”
Cody Gakpo and Wataru Endo, meanwhile, are set to be out for ‘weeks’, with the former being ruled out with a muscular issue, while the latter is sidelined with an ankle problem.
Elsewhere, Jeremie Frimpong is expected to miss out as he continues to recover from a hamstring concern, and long-term absentee Giovanni Leoni remains out with an ACL injury.
Conor Bradley is also unavailable due to suspension. Midweek goalscorer Szoboszlai is also at risk of picking up a ban, as he is one yellow card away from a one-match suspension.
The Reds head into the tie in 10th place in the Premier League table. Brighton are level on points with the Merseysiders but are ahead in eighth due to their favourable goal difference.
Slot tops the Premier League sack race odds market ahead of the weekend’s action, so he’ll be desperate for a victory. Anything but three points could spell the end of his Anfield tenure.
