Liverpool travel to face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Wednesday night and the hosts could be without a key name
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United goes down injured during the Premier League match against Crystal Palace
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United goes down injured during the Premier League match against Crystal Palace
Newcastle United have been handed a significant injury scare ahead of Wednesday night's Premier League clash against Liverpool at St James' Park.
Arne Slot's side have a tricky test against bitter rivals Manchester City to navigate on Sunday afternoon, but the fixtures will come thick and fast with Newcastle on the horizon in midweek. Liverpool's last trip to the north east in August last year saw Anthony Gordon put the hosts ahead and Virgil van Dijk sent off all before the interval.
Two goals, including a stoppage time winner, from Darwin Nunez inspired the Reds to a shock victory. This season, Liverpool are flying high at the top of the league, while the Magpies are currently 10th on 19 points.
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Eddie Howe's side drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon. They initially took the lead from a Marc Guehi own goal shortly after the break, but that was cancelled out by a stoppage time equaliser from Daniel Munoz.
The bigger concern for the Newcastle boss, however, was the fact Alexander Isak limped off with an apparent hip injury just 22 minutes in. He was replaced by Harvey Barnes as backup striker Callum Wilson is still working his way back to fitness after injury problems of his own.
Fortunately for Howe, it appears the concern isn't as bad as first feared, but with the Liverpool clash just a matter of days away, it remains to be seen whether Isak is fit and available for Wednesday night.
"It was a contact injury, not a muscle pull, which is good news for us," the Newcastle boss said in his post-match press conference. "We hope he will recover quickly but at this moment I don't know."
Slot has injury concerns of his own after Ibrahima Konate limped off the pitch midweek after the 2-0 victory over Real Madrid, and has since confirmed he faces a spell on the sidelines. Conor Bradley was also an enforced change as he made way midway through the second half, but Liverpool are yet to confirm the full extent of the injury.