Manager Confirms Liverpool Defender has Sufferered a ‘Serious’ Injury | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Isaac Mabaya Suffers Major Injury Setback

Liverpool’s preparations for the new Premier League season have been dealt another blow, with defender Isaac Mabaya facing an extended spell out after a serious injury on loan at Wigan Athletic.

Slot’s Selection Concerns Grow Ahead of Season Opener

Arne Slot, who begins his second season as Liverpool manager after guiding the club to the Premier League title in 2024, already has key absentees to contend with before Friday’s home clash with Bournemouth. Joe Gomez has only just returned to first-team training after an Achilles problem sustained during the summer tour of the Far East, and his availability remains uncertain. Conor Bradley, earmarked to fill the right-back role following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure, has endured a disrupted pre-season due to persistent minor knocks.

In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch is unavailable through suspension, the result of a red card in the final game of last season. He will be back in contention for Monday’s trip to Newcastle.

Mabaya’s Injury at Wigan Raises Serious Concerns

Mabaya’s setback came just 29 minutes into Wigan’s League Cup tie against Notts County on Tuesday. Making his full debut for the League One club, the 20-year-old required a stretcher after suffering what has been described as a “major” lower-limb injury. The initial update from Wigan manager Ryan Lowe was far from encouraging.

“He’s in a boot at the moment,” Lowe said. “I don’t really know right now. The medical staff spoke to me briefly at half-time, and I went over to see how he was. 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.”

Impact on Mabaya’s Development

The injury is a bitter blow for Mabaya, who has been tipped as a promising defensive talent. He made his Liverpool senior debut in February’s FA Cup defeat at Plymouth Argyle and had impressed during Wigan’s opening league fixtures this season. This loan move was seen as an important step in his development, offering regular first-team football at a competitive level.

With a return to Merseyside expected for further assessment, Mabaya will now undergo specialist treatment and rehabilitation with Liverpool’s medical department. The priority will be ensuring a complete recovery, though the timeline for his comeback remains unclear.

Liverpool’s Defensive Depth Tested Early

While Mabaya’s absence will be most keenly felt by Wigan, it also limits Liverpool’s longer-term defensive options. Slot will be mindful of the need for depth across the season, particularly with a demanding schedule that includes domestic and European commitments. For now, Liverpool supporters will hope the youngster can recover fully and continue his career trajectory once fit again.