Alisson and Isak injury doubts, WSL kick-off and more: football news - live

29m ago 05.29 EDT Liverpool boss Arne Slot doesn’t seem to get phased by much and that applies to fixture lists too. The home game against Bournemouth on Saturday is the Reds’ third of a seven-match sequence in just 22 days but Slot doesn’t find it unusual. “In Holland we also have Eredivisie, so we (Dutch teams) also play games at the weekend and also play Champions League and Europa League so we also play in the week. There is only one difference and that is the upcoming week when we play the League Cup so until now I’ve not seen anything I wasn’t used to at my former club. “The Premier League has four extra games compared to the Eredivisie and also the League Cup, that’s the main difference, but from the start until now I think we have played as many games as my former club and hat’s not an issue for me. “But the main difference between the Premier League and every other league in Europe – and you all know – is we have to play during Christmas and new year. In those moments that is the biggest difference between this league and all the other leagues. “AC Milan had to play the weekend, they have to play Tuesday and they will also play the weekend. But the strength of the league, the quality of the league, the quality of Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth that is much higher than if you play an Eredivisie team that doesn’t play for the top-six positions. That is where it makes a difference.” Share

39m ago 05.20 EDT Let’s talk Power Rankings and, specifically, those relating to the MLS. You might click on this based out of Messi-based curiosity; you’ll exit shaking your head about the exploits of Christian Benteke. MLS power rankings: Hollywood heavyweights trending in opposite directions Read more In Crisps Power Rankings, two strong entries here. Adam Griffiths: “Best crisps, are we? Pickled onion monster munch for the win.” Andy Barrett: “The best crisps ever were Brannigan’s roast beef and mustard. Sorely missed.” Share

48m ago 05.11 EDT Isak could miss Newcastle trip to Fulham Alexander Isak is a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Fulham after the Newcastle striker suffered eye and foot injuries in last Sunday’s 2-1 victory against Wolves at Molineux. Giving an update this morning, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: “I’ll find out more today. It was a strange one with his eye. The ball just grazed his eye and we felt at that time, that was the main reason for him coming off the pitch. Then he had a knock to his foot as well, so he’s got a combination of the two. We’ll make a decision today.” Anthony Gordon could switch from the left to a central role if Isak is ruled out. Share Updated at 05.24 EDT

1h ago 04.56 EDT On footballers/crisps and the idea that Alisson is made of Kettle chips (see 09.32), Nick Smith emails: “They are rugged, handsome crisps mind. Like McCoys extra ridged.” Good point. Share Updated at 05.01 EDT

1h ago 04.32 EDT Alisson injury doubt for Liverpool And we open with news from Liverpool where Alisson could miss the Reds’ home game with Bournemouth. Anfield boss Arne Slot says he will see if Alisson can train today. If not, he’ll be sidelined. The problem is hamstring tightness. It was once said of super-talented but injury-prone Daniel Sturridge that he was made from crisps. Alisson isn’t quite in that bracket but the Brazilian misses far more games than the average goalkeeper. Made from kettle chips perhaps? Strange that his replacement, Caoimhín Kelleher, looks far more fragile. Of course, it shouldn’t be lost on us that Alisson was one of the high-profile stars talking about players being overworked and not listened to over scheduling when he spoke to the press ahead of Liverpool’s 3-1 win in Milan. Share

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