Liverpool injury list just dey grow like grass for rainy season as dem prepare for Crystal Palace match dis Saturday for Anfield. Manager Arne Slot dey face serious headache as key players dey drop like flies, and dis one dey come at worst time when dem need perfect run to qualify for Europe.
French striker Hugo Ekitike don undergo surgery for Achilles tendon wey tear during Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain last week. Na serious blow for di boy wey just join di club. Slot talk say na devastating news because di striker don show impact since e come, and now e go miss rest of season plus summer World Cup. Reports dey show say e fit no play for nine months, meaning e go miss half of next season too.
Goalkeeper wahala dey another level for Liverpool. Alisson don dey miss since last month Champions League win over Galatasaray. Di Brazilian goalkeeper post for social media say e no get new injury but e dey treatment phase, and plan na to return by end of April. Slot confirm say dem expect am fit towards end of season.
But as Alisson dey wait to return, replacement goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili join injury list during Merseyside derby against Everton. Di Georgian goalkeeper carry knee injury wey make dem stretcher am off pitch for Hill Dickinson Stadium. Slot talk say injury look like open wound but no go be long term, and dem dey check if e fit play next week.
Defensive problems dey too. Giovanni Leoni no play since September when e rupture ACL for debut against Southampton for Carabao Cup. Reports dey show say di centre-half no go feature until next season. Conor Bradley dey same boat – full-back pick knee injury during goalless draw with Arsenal for January and no expect to return until next season.
Midfield no escape injury plague. Wataru Endo dey sidelines since February when e get foot injury wey require surgery during match against Sunderland AFC. While e fit recover in time for Japan World Cup campaign, e no go play for Liverpool again dis season.
All dis injuries dey come as Liverpool dey face crucial final five matches of season. Dem dey fifth for league table and need strong finish against Palace, Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford to secure European football for 2026/27 season. Problem be say all dem opponents after Palace match dey push for Champions League qualification too.
Michael Owen don talk to GOAL about why Liverpool no suppose go for Robert Lewandowski as short-term solution. Di Polish striker dey prepare to leave Barcelona as free agent and never play for Premier League before, but Owen believe Reds get more pressing issues to address.
Slot medical list dey long, and di Dutch manager go need to use available players wey remain to navigate dis crucial period. With Salah dey prepare to depart and Alexander Isak dey face fitness issues too, di team depth dey seriously tested.
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