ไทย
English
中國人
Alexander Isak's troubled debut campaign at Liverpool hit yet another setback as he was ruled out of Sunday's derby clash against Manchester United due to a groin problem.
The priciest signing in Premier League history has never fully recovered from a summer spent on strike to force his transfer to Liverpool. It became clear that striking balls into empty nets at Real Sociedad's training facility rather than completing a structured preseason with Newcastle United was far from ideal preparation for a Premier League season.
Isak could only be used intermittently by Arne Slot during his opening three months as a Liverpool player as he was gradually introduced to first-team duties. A cruel twist of fate then arrived in the shape of a fractured fibula against Tottenham Hotspur in December. Isak had to wait until April to feature again after Christmas Day but had only just started rediscovering his sharpest form in recent weeks.
A brilliantly executed goal against Crystal Palace the previous weekend had hinted at a strong finish to the season for Liverpool's long-suffering No. 9. Those expectations were swiftly dashed, once more.
Liverpool's Confirmed Starting XI vs. Man Utd
(4-2-3-1): Freddie Woodman; Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch; Jeremie Frimpong, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz; Cody Gakpo.
Substitutes: Armin Pecsi (GK), Joe Gomez, Milos Kerkez, Federico Chiesa, Trey Nyoni, Kieran Morrison, Rio Ngumoha, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Will Wright.
Not for the first time this term, Slot was forced to think outside the box without Isak available. With Hugo Ekitiké and Mohamed Salah also absent through injury, the Dutch manager named a flexible lineup. Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong have all featured at right back for Liverpool this season, while the latter two have also played further forward along the right flank.
Cody Gakpo is set to reprise his familiar center forward role once more, though Slot could alternatively deploy Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai in a dual-false-nine setup that he occasionally used last season.
First-choice goalkeeper Alisson also failed to prove his fitness ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. With backup stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili also on the treatment table, the responsibility fell on Freddie Woodman to guard the goal once again.
When Will Alexander Isak Return for Liverpool?
At this advanced point of the season, even a relatively minor muscular issue can effectively end a player's campaign. With a World Cup approaching, there is added motivation for players to take a careful and measured approach to their rehabilitation.
While no official timeframe was immediately provided, Isak is not anticipated to miss the remainder of the season with his groin complaint, according to BBC Sport.
The Daily Mail reported in the lead-up to Sunday's derby that Isak had picked up the muscular issue during one of Liverpool's regular training sessions. Further scans are expected to determine the full extent of the injury.