Liverpool are braced for another significant injury blow after striker Alexander Isak was forced off during Saturday's Premier League victory at Tottenham Hotspur.
Scan Results Awaited After Painful Exit
The club is anxiously awaiting the results of an MRI scan, but the Press Association understands there are serious concerns over a problem to the Sweden international's lower left leg. The 26-year-old sustained the issue while scoring the opening goal in the 2-1 win, only his second of a stop-start debut season.
Isak was caught by Tottenham defender Micky van der Ven's sliding challenge as he planted his shooting leg to finish. Having come on as a half-time substitute, the forward was on the pitch for just 11 minutes before leaving in considerable distress.
Slot's 'Gut Feeling' and a Troubled Debut Season
Head coach Arne Slot offered a grim initial assessment post-match. "If a player doesn't even try to come back, that is usually not a good thing," Slot admitted, while cautioning it was a gut feeling rather than a medical diagnosis. The club has refused to speculate on the potential implications until all tests are fully assessed.
Isak's £125 million move from Newcastle United on deadline day was a British record, but his campaign has been plagued by fitness issues. A dispute with his former club meant he missed a proper pre-season and arrived at Anfield behind his teammates. After working patiently to build his fitness, his progress has been halted by minor setbacks.
His season so far includes:
- 16 total appearances, with only six Premier League starts.
- A previous groin injury that forced him off against Eintracht Frankfurt and caused a four-match absence.
- Several false dawns where Slot declared him ready, only for a new issue to emerge.
Forward Line Stretched to Breaking Point
Any lengthy absence for Isak would come at a critical time for Liverpool's attacking resources. The club is already without Mohamed Salah, who is at the Africa Cup of Nations, and Cody Gakpo is not due back from a muscle injury until early in the new year.
This leaves Slot with limited senior forward options:
- Hugo Ekitike, who is in form with five goals in his last four games.
- The little-used Federico Chiesa.
The injury crisis may force Slot to get creative. He has previously floated the idea of using wing-back Jeremie Frimpong as a wide attacker, but with Conor Bradley a doubt and Joe Gomez out with a hamstring problem, Frimpong may be needed in defence. This situation could open the door for more minutes for 17-year-old prospect Rio Ngumoha, who impressed early in the season but has seen limited action recently.
The coming days, as the full extent of Isak's injury becomes clear, will be crucial for Liverpool's planning during a congested and challenging period.
