Arne Slot delivers the Liverpool injury latest on Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, Cody Gakpo, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo and Florian Wirtz ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash at home to Wolves
Arne Slot is hopeful Alexander Isak will return within a “couple of months” from the leg fracture that dealt another major blow for the Liverpool striker. But the Reds boss hasn’t ruled out Conor Bradley being available for the weekend as he grapples with a growing list of absentees.
Isak was caught by a heavy challenge from Tottenham defender Micky van den Ven when opening the scoring in the 2-1 Premier League win at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening.
The 26-year-old was in clear distress as he underwent lengthy treatment before being helped off the pitch by Dr Jonathan Power and Chris Morgan, two members of the club’s medical team. A scan took place on Sunday before a subsequent operation was completed on Monday on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture.
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And speaking for the first time since Isak’s surgery, Slot said: “It’s going to be a long injury, for a couple of months, so that’s a big, big disappointment for him and, of course, also for us.
“I’m confident he can (play a part in back end of season).”
Isak had replaced Bradley at half-time after the Northern Ireland international was injured during a collision with Tottenham defender Djed Spence.
And both the right-back and forward Cody Gakpo, who has missed the last three matches, have a “50-50” chance of being available for the visit of rock-bottom Wolves on Saturday afternoon, although defender Joe Gomez and midfielder Wataru Endo remain sidelined.
“Conor will be 50-50, he’s not training with us today or tomorrow, so Friday we will see where he exactly is and whether he can be in the squad for the weekend,” said Slot on Tuesday morning.
“Joe won’t be available, Wata won’t be available. Cody? Bit similar to Conor.”
Slot added: “It is the time for the players who we do have available to do what they have done so many times and roll their sleeves up and not only our players but our fans as well and help us in the best possible way to get the results we want.
“Therefore, the players who are available need to give everything they have like the fans as they usually do.
“The most injuries we have are not related to overloading. When you look at Alex’s injury, it has nothing to do with overloading the player. It’s the same with Wataru Endo.
“Of course, there are one or two that might have to do with overloading – Cody Gakpo has a muscle and the same is to be said with Joe Gomez.”
Florian Wirtz came off with cramp against Tottenham but will be fit to face Wolves. Liverpool are also without the suspended Dominik Szoboszlai as well as Mohamed Salah, who is away at the Africa Cup of Nations, and long-term injury victim Giovanni Leoni.
