Liverpool's record signing, Alexander Isak, is facing several months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a fractured ankle.
The Sweden international sustained the injury during Liverpool's 2-1 win against Tottenham on Saturday, when he was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge from Micky van de Ven while scoring. Scans confirmed the club's fears of a serious problem, and the 26-year-old had an operation on Monday.
Liverpool have not placed a timescale on his recovery, but the £125m striker will be out for several months. The blow is devastating for Isak, who has had a difficult start to his Anfield career with fitness issues. He missed most of pre-season after forcing a move from Newcastle and was then ruled out for almost a month with a groin injury suffered in the Champions League.
Isak's goal against Spurs was only his second in the Premier League for Liverpool and his third in total, assisted by Florian Wirtz. There is surprise at Liverpool that Van de Ven's challenge went unpunished by referee John Brooks and VAR Stuart Attwell.
With Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations and Cody Gakpo also injured, manager Arne Slot's attacking options are stretched. Isak is the second of Liverpool's summer recruits to suffer a serious long-term injury, following defender Giovanni Leoni who is out for the season with an ACL injury.
