Online Reporter
Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo have both been struck down while representing their countries, giving boss Andoni Iraola a major headache.
And the Reds appear to be the Premier League’s biggest financial losers from the break so far when the estimated wages of players injured on international duty are added together.
Isak, who is understood to pocket around £280,000 per week, has been forced to withdraw from the Sweden squad with a thigh problem.
The £125million striker played the full 90 minutes and scored in Sweden’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Romania. But Sweden subsequently confirmed that the forward had suffered a minor injury and would leave camp, ruling him out of their remaining matches during the international window.
Isak will now return to Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre to be assessed by club medical staff ahead of the return of Premier League action.
And Iraola’s problems were compounded when Gakpo was forced off just 17 minutes into Holland‘s 2-1 victory over Serbia on Sunday.
The Dutch forward, reportedly earning around £250,000 per week, suffered an ankle problem following a challenge from Sasa Lukic.
Gakpo was left in pain and signalled that he needed to come off before sitting down on the pitch.
He is now reportedly set to undergo scans to establish the severity of the problem.
It means Liverpool have a staggering £530,000 worth of weekly wages tied up in the two stars while sweating over their fitness. And they are not the only Premier League giants who have been left cursing the international break. Arsenal have seen £280,000-a-week Kai Havertz return from Germany duty after suffering a muscle injury against Holland.
The forward was forced off during the first half of the 1-1 Nations League draw in Amsterdam and Germany subsequently confirmed he would leave their camp. Manchester United have also suffered a fresh setback after Patrick Dorgu limped out of Denmark‘s 2-0 win over Wales.
The £40,000-a-week wideman lasted just half an hour before requiring treatment and being replaced, adding another name to Michael Carrick‘s growing injury concerns. United captain Bruno Fernandes also missed Portugal‘s clash with Norway, although his problem cannot be blamed on the international break. Portugal boss Jorge Jesus revealed the £300,000-a-week midfielder had arrived on international duty already carrying an injury from United and had been playing through pain.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have suffered TWO new problems while their stars have been away, with £120,000-a-week Jamie Gittens picking up an ankle injury playing for England Under-21s.
Gittens was sent back to Stamford Bridge after taking a kick to his ankle, while £40,000-a-week goalkeeper Mike Penders also suffered a thigh problem while away with Belgium.
That leaves Chelsea sweating over players earning a combined £160,000 per week following their international injury blows.
The Blues already had Cole Palmer among the players unavailable for international duty, but his muscular problem was sustained before joining up with England and therefore does not count among those picked up during the break.
Aston Villa have also been dealt a blow after goalkeeper Zion Suzuki suffered an injury while representing Japan. The £110,000-a-week stopper was forced off, adding another sizeable salary to the Premier League’s mounting international-break injury bill. Sunderland have also been hit hard, with striker Brian Brobbey who earns £65,000-a-week suffering an injury playing for Holland before defender Dan Ballard who earned £50,000-a-week sustained a hamstring problem with Northern Ireland.
But it is Liverpool who currently have the biggest wage packet attached to players crocked while away, and Iraola will desperately hope his £530,000-a-week pair are fit when the Reds return to action against Manchester City at Anfield on October 11. – Sun
