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Latest Liverpool FC Updates Ahead of Newcastle Showdown at St James’ Park
Up to five players may miss tonight’s Premier League fixture in the North East.
Liverpool face off with Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Monday evening, as both teams aim to gain ground in the league standings.
The Reds began their campaign with a convincing 4-2 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield. Arne Slot’s side saw late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah seal the win in the final minutes.
In contrast, Newcastle played out a 0-0 stalemate with Aston Villa. With Alexander Isak currently refusing to play amid a push to join Liverpool, Eddie Howe turned to Anthony Gordon to lead the Magpies’ attack.
Although Liverpool may feel confident, Newcastle are eager to prove to their absent striker exactly what he’s walking away from. Unfortunately for Slot, up to five players might be unavailable for selection tonight.
Frimpong Sidelined With Hamstring Issue
Last weekend, Jeremie Frimpong sustained a hamstring injury during the Bournemouth clash. The 24-year-old full-back, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £29.5 million earlier this summer, had to be withdrawn around the hour mark.
Speaking during Thursday’s press conference, Slot provided an update: “The medical team was completely right about Jeremie to tell me that I had to take him off, because he is out until the end of the international break, and that happened in the game.
I already said immediately after the game that it had nothing to do with how he played, but we felt he had an issue with his hamstring. And with ‘we’ I don’t mean me, but the medical staff.
And they were completely right. So, a good call to take him off; otherwise, he would have maybe been out for longer. And we expect to have him back after the international break.”
Gomez and Bradley Both Remain Doubts
Joe Gomez made a brief return from injury with an 18-minute appearance against Bournemouth, but doubts remain over his readiness for a full return.
Slot explained: “For him to play 20 minutes [this season] is already quite a lot. I wouldn’t say he had a setback, but he wasn’t able to train with us three days in a row completely with the team, which is completely normal if you have been out for so long and all of a sudden the manager needs you for 20 minutes.
He is training with the team, so let’s see where he is on Monday, if he can be involved in the team, or if he can even start. But there are other options.”
Conor Bradley is also in doubt for the clash, having missed both the Community Shield and the league opener.
“Conor trained for a few minutes with us today for the first time,” Slot added.
Newcastle Missing Isak and Possibly Willock
Newcastle’s injury list is considerably shorter, with only two potential absentees. Alexander Isak remains unavailable, and Joe Willock has only just resumed full training. Meanwhile, Jacob Ramsey—recently signed from Aston Villa for £40 million—is expected to feature.
Speaking on Willock, Howe shared: “Joe trained on Tuesday and Wednesday and trained really well. When he went down in the game [in Korea] I thought he was going to be out longer term, it didn’t look good. Credit to him, he’s got back fit and looking good.”
Regarding Isak’s situation, Howe expressed disappointment: “It was a sad moment. My preference is these things do not happen publicly. They are better dealt with behind closed doors. But needs must. The club has spoken, and justifiably so in that moment.
He’s contracted to us. He’s our player. My wish is that he would be playing on Monday. He won’t be, and that’s regrettable. But 100 percent I want him back in a Newcastle
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