Liverpool have been dealt a blow ahead of their Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt after Ryan Grafenbirch missed Tuesday’s public training session. The Dutch midfielder left the pitch with an ankle injury in Sunday’s game against Manchester United.
The 23-year-old sustained the injury early in the second half when he challenged Brian Mbeumo. Despite attempting to continue play, he was substituted shortly after the end as Liverpool lost 2-1. After the match, head coach Arne Slott confirmed that Grafenwerch’s substitution was due to injury and that his condition would be assessed before the team’s trip to Germany.
“He twisted his ankle so I took him out,” Slott said after the game. “Is he worried about injury? We’ll have to see tomorrow, but he has to play again (Wednesday).”
However, with Grafenberg absent from the open training session, it seems likely that the Reds will be without the Netherlands international for the game against Frankfurt.
On a brighter note, Wataru Endo has returned to training. The Japan international missed the defeat against Manchester United with a hamstring injury, and also missed the international match against Chelsea with an injury.
Alexis Mac Allister also took part in training despite suffering a head injury that required four stitches in the defeat to United. Both players, along with Curtis Jones, could replace Gravenbert in holding midfield for Liverpool’s next game in Germany.
Slott is expected to provide an update on the injury situation at a pre-match press conference in Frankfurt scheduled for 6:30pm on Tuesday night.
Questions will also be asked about Alexander Isak, who started against United but was once again flattered by deception before Hugo Ekitike came off the bench to make an impression.
Ahead of the match against United, Slott declared Isak was fully fit and up to speed, but there are growing calls for Ekitike to remain in the starting XI.
Slott will have to make a new decision regarding Florian Wirtz, who came on as a substitute during the loss.
The Dutchman has so far failed to make the most of his big summer contract and will be hoping to avoid a fifth straight defeat in all competitions against Frankfurt.
