Liverpool boss Arne Slot has revealed that record signing Alexander Isak faces a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brentford after sustaining a groin problem in midweek. The Dutchman also confirmed that Jeremie Frimpong is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Alisson Becker remains unavailable and Ryan Gravenberch faces a late fitness check.
Isak yet to shine at Liverpool since £125m move
Isak’s first few months at Liverpool have been turbulent, and his latest setback adds to the club’s growing injury concerns. The £125 million ($166m) signing was substituted at half-time in the Reds’ 5-1 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt after complaining of groin discomfort. Slot later confirmed the issue was minor but admitted the Swedish forward will need to undergo a fitness test before the trip to Brentford.
Isak’s injury comes at a crucial time as he continues to search for his first Premier League goal since joining Liverpool on deadline day. His start to life at Anfield has been hindered by a lack of pre-season conditioning after a chaotic summer exit from Newcastle United. The 26-year-old has featured in eight matches across all competitions, scoring once in the Carabao Cup and providing a single Premier League assist.
The striker’s physical struggles are seen as a product of his disrupted build-up to the season. Having missed team training for large parts of the summer, Isak arrived short on fitness and rhythm. The groin complaint, a recurrence of a historical issue, has therefore forced Slot to balance the striker’s match involvement carefully to avoid further setbacks.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportSlot delivers injury updates with Frimpong of deep concern
Speaking ahead of the Brentford fixture, Slot gave an honest assessment of his squad’s fitness situation. "Alexander is not too bad. He is a question mark for the weekend so we will see where he is," the Liverpool manager said during his pre-match press conference.
Slot then delivered less encouraging news on Frimpong, who was also withdrawn during the midweek win. "Jeremie Frimpong is not in a good place, he won’t play today, tomorrow or next week," he admitted. "Hamstring injuries so that is going to take a while."
When pressed about potential returns elsewhere in the squad, Slot maintained a cautious tone. "He [Gravenberch] didn’t travel with us so today we are again but yesterday we had a day of travel so let’s see where he is," he said of his compatriot. "Alisson is going to take a bit longer, so we will be patient there."
How will Liverpool cope with injuries?
Isak’s transfer remains one of the defining moments of the 2025 summer window, with Liverpool smashing their own transfer record to lure him from Newcastle United. The deal was finalised after weeks of tense negotiations and player unrest, ending one of the most controversial sagas in recent Premier League memory. However, his early Liverpool career has yet to reflect the fee’s magnitude, largely due to ongoing fitness concerns.
Frimpong’s situation compounds Liverpool’s challenges, particularly given his subdued start since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen. The Dutch right-back’s hamstring problem has ruled him out for multiple weeks, leaving a void in Slot’s attacking setup on the flanks. Meanwhile, Gravenberch, is battling to shake off an ankle issue that kept him out of the Frankfurt match.
Adding to the list, Alisson continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since late September. The Brazilian’s absence has tested Liverpool’s defensive consistency, with Giorgi Mamardashvili stepping in between the posts. The Reds’ injury concerns come amid a congested fixture schedule, which will see them play five games in 15 days.
AFPReds travel to Brentford this weekend
Liverpool’s focus now shifts to maintaining momentum in domestic competition following their Champions League victory. A trip to Brentford presents an opportunity to end their three-match losing streak in the Premier League, but Slot will once again have to rely on squad depth to navigate the fitness issues. Isak’s condition will be closely monitored up to matchday, with the Swede expected to undergo a late fitness test before any final decision is made.
Frimpong’s extended absence could open the door for Conor Bradley or Joe Gomez to feature at right-back, while Gravenberch’s potential return offers midfield reinforcement.
