Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has acknowledged the significant impact of Ghanaian forward Fatawu Issahaku’s absence on the club’s fight to retain their Premier League status.
Leicester secured promotion to the top flight for the 2024/25 season after clinching the Championship title under the guidance of Enzo Maresca.
However, Maresca departed for Chelsea before the season began, leaving Steve Cooper to take charge. Cooper’s tenure ended in November after 12 games, leading to van Nistelrooy’s appointment.
Issahaku was pivotal to Leicester’s Championship success, contributing 13 assists and scoring six goals. Despite showing promise with two assists in the current Premier League campaign, his season was cut short due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained while on international duty in November.
Reflecting on his side’s 10th league defeat at Anfield, van Nistelrooy said: “Of course you need some luck. I think as well that we keep our best players fit. I think with Fatawu out on a cruciate, that was a big blow just a week before I started. It’s a massive loss for this team.”
Leicester City, who have lost three league games on the bounce, now sit in 18th position, a point away from safety, and face defending champions Manchester City on Sunday.
