Latest Liverpool injury news ahead of the Premier League clash against Burnley
Sweden and Liverpool forward Alexander Isak
Sweden and Liverpool forward Alexander Isak(Image: JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)
The international break always brings a bit of trepidation for Premier League managers with players jetting off around the world to represent their home nations. It’s always hoped that everyone comes back with a clean bill of health and ready to hit the ground running for the return of domestic football.
It will be no different for Arne Slot and Liverpool, who headed into the international break full of confidence, having won all of their first three games of the season. Their last outing saw them come out as 1-0 winners over Arsenal in what could be a crucial win come the end of the season; Dominik Szoboszlai’s second-half free kick was the difference between the two teams.
That game did provide an injury concern, with defender Ibrahima Konate forced off the field in the closing stages of the game.
Despite the concern, the centre-back was called up to the France squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland and featured for Didier Deschamps' side on Friday night.
That game did provide an injury concern, with defender Ibrahima Konate forced off the field in the closing stages of the game. Despite the concern, the player was called up to the France squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland.
One bigger concern is full-back Jeremie Frimpong, who has missed the last two games due to injury.
Reds boss Slot has confirmed that the issue will keep him out for two to three weeks, meaning he could potentially return against Burnley.
As he continued his recovery, Frimpong stayed with Liverpool instead of joining up with the Netherlands.
While he was there, he was among the first to welcome new signing Alexander Isak to the club when he arrived on Monday.
The striker completed his £125 million move from Newcastle on deadline day but didn’t have long to get to know his new surroundings before jetting off to meet up with the Sweden squad.
Amid speculation over his future, Isak is yet to play a minute of football this season. His pre-season was also impacted by him training away from the main Newcastle squad.
It means that Liverpool may have to be careful with his integration. Isak was an unused substitute for Sweden’s 2-2 draw with Slovenia on Friday night.
Explaining his decision, Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson told Viaplay: “He had only done three training sessions with the team.
“No pre-season with the team and of course no playing time. The risk is probably a bit too great to use him today.”
When asked if Isak would feature in Monday’s game against Kosovo, Tomasson said: “Hopefully, hopefully. As a game-changer.”