Flu-stricken Manuel Akanji in doubt for Inter Milan ahead of Liverpool clash

As speculation mounts that Mohamed Salah could miss Liverpool’s visit to Inter Milan, the focus at the San Siro ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League showdown is on the availability of Manuel Akanji.

The 30-year-old Switzerland international, who moved to the Serie A side on loan from Manchester City on the final day of the summer transfer window, featured in Saturday’s 4-0 over Como but has since missed training with a reported bout of influenza.

Akanji has been an ever present for Inter in the league since his summer arrival from the Etihad. He has also started twice in the Champions League, including Inter’s most recent game away to Atlético Madrid last month, which marked the club’s first defeat in the competition.   

Manuel Akanji: Inter Milan defender to undergo late fitness test

Akanji will undergo a late fitness test before the Liverpool game on Tuesday night. Should he fail to recover, manager Cristian Chivu could call on Germany international Yann Bisseck to deputise, with the Dutch veteran Stefan de Vrij, who last played in a 4-1 victory over Cremonese in mid-October, also an option. Nineteen-year-old Yvan Maye, recently promoted to the first-team squad, is also on standby.

Following his arrival at Eastlands from Borussia Dortmund three summers ago, Akanji became a mainstay of City’s treble-winning side. The centre-back made a total of 136 appearances under Pep Guardiola, winning the Premier League twice, before moving to Inter in a €2m (£1.75m) loan deal that includes an option to make the move permanent next summer for €15million. 

Inter Milan consider changes for visit of Liverpool

Italian press reports suggest Chivu could recall Henrikh Mkhitaryan in midfield alongside Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Nicolò Barella for the visit of Liverpool. The former Manchester United and Arsenal attacker, back to full fitness following a thigh injury, replaced Piotr Zielinski in the second half against Como at the weekend, and has been tipped to start in the Pole’s place against the Premier League champions.

French forward Ange-Yoan Bonny, who was on the bench against Como following illness, could replace Marcus Thuram up front as Inter, currently fourth in the Champions League standings, push to cement their place in the top eight, a finish that would guarantee a place in the last 16 of the tournament.

While the absence of Akanji, for whom Chivu has made plain his admiration, is sure to be keenly felt – the manager has described him as “an important player with international value and stature” – the onus will be on Arne Slot’s struggling side to exploit it.