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Alexander Isak and his late withdrawal vs Liverpool due to a groin injury left the Magpies toothless in attack as the Reds ran out 2-0 winners.

According to reports, the decision to exclude Isak was made relatively late, with Eddie Howe confirming that the call came “around midday” on Wednesday after the striker reported discomfort in his groin

The post-match analysis inevitably centered on what might have been had Isak, who has netted 21 goals across all competitions this season, been available.

Isak’s absence was particularly felt given his previous success against Liverpool in the 3-3 reverse fixture at St James’ Park earlier in the season.

Of course, the injury has raised questions about his availability for the upcoming Carabao Cup final against the Reds on March 16.

Speaking in his FA Cup fifth-round press conference on Friday, Eddie Howe confirmed that while they don’t expect the injury to be a long-term affair – it’s always going to be a ‘risk’ to play him this weekend.

When quizzed on the Sweden international, he said (via the Chronicle)

“We’ll see today; I haven’t seen him since the game, so we’ll see how he is today and have a discussion with him, I’m sure.

We don’t think it’s a long-term problem.”

“In part, obviously, there was no risk taken on Wednesday, and there can’t be at this stage of the season.

If he’s fit, he will play.”

“There’s always a risk with any player – even if they’re 100% fit, that’s the world that we’re in, but we wouldn’t take any risks on his long-term fitness?

But we’ll see how he is today.”

The Swedish forward, whose 19 Premier League goals this season trail only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah, embodies the rare blend of technical precision, physical profile, and clinical finishing that modern elite football demands.

He has been linked with Liverpool ahead of a potential summer move.

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