Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool welcome Newcastle United to Anfield on Saturday evening with their talismanic captain Bruno Guimaraes is locked in a desperate race against time to prove his fitness following an ankle injury.
The Brazilian midfielder’s injury saga began during Newcastle’s 3-0 Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven last Wednesday night, when he was forced off in the first half after taking a blow to his ankle. Guimaraes initially attempted to play through the pain but ultimately signaled to the touchline just before halftime, clutching his ankle as he limped off the St James’ Park pitch with Lewis Miley replacing him. Reports suggest the midfielder was experiencing “immense” pain at the time.
Despite missing their 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend Guimaraes traveled with the team to the French capital to face PSG on Wednesday evening.
However, in a telling sign of the injury’s severity and Eddie Howe’s cautious approach, the Brazilian captain remained an unused substitute for the entire 90 minutes as Newcastle battled to a creditable 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes.
Now, as Saturday’s 8pm kick-off at Anfield approaches, the big question remains: will Guimaraes be fit enough to face Liverpool?
Speaking in his pre-Liverpool press conference, Eddie Howe has now confessed that he did not know if his midfield general will be able to feature at Anfield tomorrow evening:
“Slightly unknown at the moment,” the English manager told the media including the Shields Gazette.
I’d say he did really well to be with us in Paris – I think that is more down to him being desperate to be there and support the players. We did very, very light training and he participated in that, but it was next to nothing to be honest.
“He trained with us yesterday [Thursday] but that was more of a [fitness] test. We’ll see how he is today. This will be the day where we really decide.”
From Liverpool’s perspective, facing a Newcastle side without Guimaraes would be the perfect scenario as the Brazilian is arguably Eddie Howe’s most important player.
Adding to Newcastle’s midfield woes is the absence of Joelinton, who limped off during his 250th club appearance against Aston Villa with a groin injury.
The loss of both Brazilian midfielders leaves Howe scrambling for solutions in the engine room, with Sandro Tonali, Lewis Miley, and Joe Willock the likely candidates to fill the void.
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