Liverpool supporters will get on the road for the final time this season on Friday as they bring the curtain down on a difficult season away from Anfield.
Aston Villa will be no walk in the park for the Reds, with the two teams locked level on 59 points in fourth and fifth place in the Premier League table.
Villa Park is never an easy place to go, and given Liverpool‘s very mixed away form this season, another tough evening could be on the cards.
That could become even more difficult if the Reds are without star striker Alexander Isak. After recently suffering from some groin trouble, fans are hopeful that Isak can return to the line-up against Villa.
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But after the Swede was not spotted in Thursday’s clips from training, rumours that he is injured again have started to gather pace.
While you can never be sure around fitness issues – and it would be typical of a dreadful season of luck for Liverpool if Isak were injured again – the Reds’ official fitness summary ahead of the clash with Villa would suggest that their No. 9 is fine.
Liverpool confirm fitness status ahead of Villa
Liverpool looked toothless without Isak from the start against Manchester United and Chelsea recently. They badly need him if they are to secure Champions League qualification at Villa Park.
And according to the update on Liverpoolfc.com on Thursday, there is no reason to believe that Isak will not be ready.
READ MORE: Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Aston Villa sees Alexander Isak back in and right-back dilemma solved
Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker, Ibrahima Konate and Florian Wirtz are all mentioned, and there appears to be hope that the quartet will all be fine to feature in the Midlands.
Meanwhile, ‘long-term absentees’ Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni are all named. There’s no mention of Liverpool’s £125m man. That is good news.
Will Isak start against Villa?
At this point of his disastrous debut season, many Liverpool fans have written off the chance of seeing Isak at his best until 2026/27.
Nevertheless, after an appearance from the bench against Chelsea six days ago, there should be hope that he can be back in the XI for the final two matches.
Can you make a better front line to take on Aston Villa? 👀
That will give Liverpool’s hopes of getting over the line into the Champions League a big boost, and will serve as more steps towards Isak becoming fully fit for the World Cup and beyond.
Having said that, Arne Slot has had to be cautious with the Sweden international throughout the campaign, and it would not be a big surprise if Isak starts from the bench at Villa Park.
For now, there is nothing to suggest that he has suffered another setback, but if the team news arrives and the former Newcastle man is omitted, it would also not surprise anyone of a Liverpool persuasion.
It has just been that kind of season.
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