When Liverpool navigate an action-packed week of cup football and high-stakes league encounters, there is rarely a shortage of talking points. But as Gareth Taylor prepares his side for Saturday’s journey, the optimism generated by an impressive run of form has been heavily tempered by a significant piece of bad news behind the scenes.
There was a moment during Liverpool’s frantic 4-3 League Cup win at Birmingham City on Wednesday night where the celebrations felt muted. While Natalia Ramos was busy wheeling away after her dramatic 93rd-minute winner adding to a Marie Höbinger brace and a Neve McDonald strike, the shadow hanging over St Andrew's had long been cast.
Shortly before the break, Aurélie Csillag went down in immense distress. Medical staff rushed on, the stretcher was used, and the immediate post-match atmosphere turned remarkably quiet.
For all the attacking fluidity on display in the Midlands in midweek, a major dark cloud had settled over the squad, leaving the manager with a real tactical headache, just as the Reds looked to be building serious momentum.
Now, the worst-case scenario has been confirmed. Scans have revealed a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon by the 23-year-old Switzerland international. It is a devastating blow for a forward, who had only just started to make Merseyside her home, following a summer move from Freiburg. She had already popped up with crucial goals, including the sharp equaliser in 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Leigh to face Manchester United, head coach Gareth Taylor did not hide the seriousness of the situation.
"It's an unfortunate one, a severe injury. It's an Achilles," Taylor confirmed. "She was due to see the specialist earlier today so we will get a little bit of an idea after that, but probably going to be surgery and she’s going to be out for a substantial period of time.
"Which will be a shame because we're not blessed in forward areas to be able to—especially now we're not in a transfer window, it's made us short in that sense. We will make sure she gets the necessary care not only with the surgery, but also with her recovery and support her in the right way to get back stronger than ever."
To make matters far more complicated for Taylor, the setback comes alongside another frustrating twist in the treatment room. Sophie Román Haug, who looked primed to shoulder the central attacking load in Csillag's absence, has picked up a metatarsal injury and is set for a stint on the sidelines.
"Of course, losing Aurélie is an opportunity for Roman Haug, but we're going to have to be patient with that one. She's not going to be ready for a few weeks," Taylor added.
With Lucy Parry and Mari Ward also ruled out until after the upcoming international window, Liverpool’s depth is being tested to its absolute limits.
It isn't all grim news on the personnel front, however. Summer arrival Mao Itamura is set to be available to make her competitive Reds debut, following minor abdominal surgery. This offers a timely boost for a side looking to build on last Sunday's 2-0 Merseyside derby victory over Everton. The win earned Taylor the LMA’s Performance of the Week award, with goals from Beata Olsson and Cornelia Kapocs securing an illusive first ever derby win at Anfield.
The Reds travel to face an under-pressure Manchester United, currently flying high in fifth in the WSL table, with the Red Devils down in ninth. Yet, with their frontline depleted in the blink of an eye, Taylor's tactical versatility will be put to the ultimate test before the international break arrives.
Add us as a preferred source on Google