Alexander Isak will reportedly miss Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United on Sunday in a hammer blow to Arne Slot.
The Reds will already be without Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike as they head to Old Trafford, and were set to rely on Isak to carry their biggest goal threat.
But according to the Daily Mail, the Swede suffered a suspected groin injury in training, with his participation against United now said to be in ‘major doubt.’
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As Isak undergoes a scan to discover the extent of the damage, Liverpool now have only two realistic options for his dwindling attack for Old Trafford, and likely beyond.
Rio Ngumoha could get another start
The first, probably most likely option, for Slot, would be to reintroduce Rio Ngumoha on the left of his attack.
Ngumoha has barely featured since starring against Fulham in April, but with injuries to Liverpool’s first-choice front three, the 17-year-old is now next in line.
Though frustrated by yet more bad news regarding Isak, supporters would no doubt be pleased to see Ngumoha back on the teamsheet, and he could really make a name for himself once again by turning up against United.
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This scenario would see Cody Gakpo move into a central position, where he has had a good amount of impact recently.
Jeremie Frimpong was always a likely starter on the right, and this front three has the look of a bit of a throwback, with two little wide men and a big centre-forward through the middle.
Federico Chiesa could come into contention
Another option for Slot would be to chuck Federico Chiesa in at the deep end on Sunday.
The Italian has not played a single minute of Liverpool’s last five fixtures, but was named by Slot when referencing his central attacking players on the back of Ekitike’s injury.
If the Dutchman wanted to protect Ngumoha and keep Gakpo in his favoured left position, Chiesa would be the most likely candidate to benefit.
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Though he has had another poor season with the Reds – and looks almost certain to leave this summer – the chance to make a difference against Liverpool’s biggest rivals could bring out the best in the No. 14.
With Gakpo to one side of him and Frimpong to the other, playing Chiesa would give him one final opportunity to make a lasting impression on Reds’ fans.
Slot could, of course, do something completely unexpected and perhaps play academy striker Will Wright, who was on the bench during last weekend’s win over Crystal Palace, or may choose to shunt Florian Wirtz out wide or even as a false nine.
But with midfield options likely to be needed at right-back, Slot is stretched in the middle of the pitch as well. Wirtz as a false nine behind a midfield three of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister with Curtis Jones is a possibility, but we think it more likely that either Chiesa or – more probably – Ngumoha, will now step into the gap left by Isak
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