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Arne Slot faces some injury headache ahead of Friday’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth.

Joe Gomez, sidelined since limping out of the Far East pre-season tour with a persistent Achilles issue, only returned to first-team training this week and remains a fitness doubt for Anfield’s curtain-raiser.

Conor Bradley, earmarked to step up at right-back following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure, is also battling “niggly” knocks that have hampered his pre-season.

Adding to Slot’s selection headaches, midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is suspended after a straight red card in May’s finale, ruling him out of the opener against the Cherries but freeing him to reunite with the squad for next Monday’s visit to Newcastle.

And unfortunately, there are also some concerns on the loan front.

Liverpool defender Isaac Mabaya faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a “major” lower-limb injury on his full debut for League One side Wigan Athletic.

The 20-year-old, on loan from Liverpool this season, was stretchered off just 29 minutes into Tuesday’s League Cup tie against Notts County, forcing manager Ryan Lowe to issue a grim initial prognosis:

“He’s in a boot at the moment,” said Lowe.

I’m just gutted for the kid, he’s a fantastic lad, a great human being.

“He’s had his ups and downs with injuries, but we thought this one might be the year for him – both ourselves and Liverpool thought that.”

“We know it’s something to do with a lower limb, but I’m just gutted for him.”

“It’s probably not looking good, though, especially with his injury record

It doesn’t look good.”

Mabaya, who made his senior Liverpool bow in February’s FA Cup defeat at Plymouth Argyle, had shown promise in Wigan’s opening League One fixtures before Tuesday’s clash.

He is expected to return to Liverpool for specialist assessment and to commence rehabilitation under the club’s medical team

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