1 week ago
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a concerning injury update as he confirmed Alexander Isak remains doubtful for this weekend's game after being withdrawn against Frankfurt on Wednesday - and Jeremie Frimpong is definitely out.
The Swedish striker was substituted at the interval in Germany while Liverpool held the lead after the player reported groin discomfort. Isak endured an interrupted preseason following his protracted transfer situation, and the club is still working to bring him up to full match fitness.
Isak partnered Hugo Ekitike on Wednesday, with the latter finding the net against his previous employers. There is mounting expectation on Slot to maximise the potential of the British-record acquisition, given his sluggish beginning, which has yielded just one goal in the Carabao Cup against Southampton.
Ryan Gravenberch, who was unused against Frankfurt, has not made the journey with the players as they gear up to face Brentford on Saturday. Right-back Frimpong, who has endured a troublesome introduction to life at Anfield with multiple complications, is also battling an injury concern.
Slot said: "Jeremie is not in a good place. He's definitely not going to play today, tomorrow, or next week. Hamstring injury is going to take a while.
"Alex is not too bad. Question mark for the weekend, and let's see where he is.
"That's the same to be said about Ryan. He didn't travel with us; yesterday we were in, and today as well.
"Alisson is not in the squad. That's also going to take a little bit longer."
With Alisson unavailable, Giorgi Mamardashvili has taken up the goalkeeping duties.
Signed last year but only joining in the summer, he's featured in Liverpool's last two Premier League matches, yet victory has eluded him following defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United at Anfield.
Slot has admitted that the gruelling schedule has made it challenging to get players acclimatised to Liverpool's rhythm, with the team currently navigating a run of four games in ten days.
He said: "You try to prepare players for once-a-week football.
"But if you are Liverpool, then you play every three days or normally three times in eight days, because we've been unfortunate this season that we have to play three times in seven days.
"Then you try to prepare for that programme, which is not always so easy if you don't have a pre-season."
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