Arne Slot confirmed Alexander Isak was ruled out of Liverpool’s trip to Manchester United due to a minor groin injury in the latest setback to the record signing’s stop-start season.
A week after Isak scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool at Anfield in their win over Crystal Palace, the Sweden international picked up the problem training before the visit to Old Trafford but could be back next week.
Liverpool have been without the £125m Isak for long spells of the season, following his deadline day arrival from Newcastle United and then when he fractured his leg in December’s win at Tottenham.
He returned following the March international break but injuries to Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah compounds his latest absence ahead of Liverpool facing rivals United in the battle for third place.
Slot, who started with Cody Gakpo up front and Jeremie Frimpong at right wing in a changed side, confirmed to Sky Sports that Isak’s latest injury blow came in training this week.
It confirmed earlier rumours that Isak would be unavailable and Slot, who is also without first choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, said: “I don’t think in general it’s a surprise that after we pick up injuries, that has happened so many times this season, no one can be surprised that it happened now again.
“But Alex, it wasn’t much, but unfortunately it was too much for him to be be able to play. And Alisson hasn’t trained with us yet, so that that makes it quite simple. We’re hoping for him to be ready next week but we have to wait and see how the week will go, and the same can be said about Alex. We’re hoping to have him back next week, but that’s small margins, as it always is.”
