Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool will look to build on their FA Cup win over Barnsley when they host Burnley in the Premier League this weekend. The Reds cruised to a 4-1 victory on Monday, setting up a fourth-round tie against Brighton next month.
Attention now shifts to Saturday’s clash with relegation-threatened Burnley as Arne Slot’s side aim to end a run of three consecutive Premier League draws that has seen them slip in the race for a top-four finish.
Liverpool face defensive challenges following Conor Bradley’s season-ending injury. The right-back has avoided an ACL injury but requires surgery to repair ligament and bone damage in his left knee, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
Bradley’s injury is a significant blow for Liverpool, and he will also miss Northern Ireland’s World Cup play-off against Italy in March. Rio Ngumoha is now a concern after picking up a knock against Barnsley in the FA Cup on Monday night.
Ngumoha started the match but was substituted in the 73rd minute after an awkward slip, initially feared to be a hamstring injury. Slot, however, remains hopeful it was just cramp.
The Dutchman said after the game: “I assume and think and expect it’s cramp, so it tells you – it tells Rio – that I expect that a Premier League game is more intense than this one.
“It’s very nice for him to again make 70 minutes, but that it’s still very hard work to be ready for 90 in the Premier League. But that’s completely normal for a 17-year-old, make no mistake about that.
“It’s already great for him and for Liverpool and for everybody following us that a 17-year-old makes so many minutes in a Liverpool shirt. So, let’s hope he can continue and we can bring him further and further towards 90 minutes at Premier League level.”
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah remains away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Hugo Ekitike and Wataru Endo return to the squad ahead of the Burnley game.
Liverpool have been without Alexander Isak since suffering an ankle injury while opening the scoring in the 2-1 win at Tottenham before Christmas, following a challenge from Micky van de Ven.
The Swedish striker was treated on the pitch before being helped off, and scans later revealed a fractured fibula requiring surgery. While no exact return date has been confirmed, Isak is expected to be sidelined for several months.
Defensive issues are compounded by Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury. The summer signing tore his anterior cruciate ligament on his debut in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton in September. Following surgery, Leoni faces around 12 months of recovery and still has a long rehabilitation ahead.
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