Liverpool learn of a serious injury to record signing Alexander Isak just days before Christmas, a heartbreaking blow for one of their former stars.
Former Liverpool star Takumi Minamino is set to miss next summer’s World Cup after injuring his anterior cruciate ligament in Monaco’s game against Auxerre. The Ligue 1 club confirmed the worst of the situation on Monday after the Japanese representative was sent off in the first half of Sunday’s Coupe de France match.
Monaco posted on social media: “During the Coupe de France match in Auxerre (Round of 64), our midfielder Takumi Minamino injured his left knee.” “Tests revealed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Takumi is counting on the support of the entire club until he recovers. Take courage, Taki, we are with you.”
Many Liverpool fans joined Monaco fans in sending their congratulations to Minamino. “I’m devastated for him,” one person wrote, while another posted a message of support: “YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone).”
Monaco won 2-1 with Mika Bielet scoring both goals, setting them up for a trip to Orleans in the New Year. However, Minamino’s injury is a blow to both the club and the national team.
This was the last expedition before the French winter holidays. They will not play again until early January when they return to Ligue 1 action and host Lyon.
read more: Alexander Isak seriously injured, Liverpool star to undergo surgeryread more: Mo Salah gives Liverpool a lot to think about after injury nightmare confirmed
Minamino, 30, joined Monaco from Liverpool in 2022 for a fee of £15.5 million. The former Red Bull Salzburg star, who was part of the Reds’ title-winning side in 2020, has made over 100 appearances and scored 23 goals for his current club.
Primarily used as an attacking midfielder or winger, he appeared in all but two games for Sebastian Pocognoli’s side this season. He has four goals and three assists this season, including the winning goal in the recent league win against Paris Saint-Germain.
There are less than six months left until the start of the World Cup in Japan, but a torn anterior cruciate ligament traditionally forces a soccer player to be out for an even longer period of time. Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus also only recently returned from a similar injury, which kept him out of action for more than nine months.
Minamino’s 26 goals are the most by any active Japanese national team player, and he scored goals while serving as captain in friendly wins against Brazil and Ghana in the fall. He also scored four goals in the World Cup qualifiers, but Samurai Blue only lost once all season.
Japan was drawn into Group F for the next World Cup, playing the Netherlands and Tunisia in the first two games of the group. The final spot in the group will be filled by the winner of the European playoffs, with either Ukraine, Sweden, Albania or Poland advancing to the tournament, where they will face Japan on June 25 in Arlington.
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