Liverpool have been dealt a severe attacking blow with the news that their record signing, Alexander Isak, faces an extended period out of action after undergoing surgery on a fractured ankle.
Injury Strikes During Spurs Clash
The Swedish international striker, 26, sustained the significant injury during Liverpool's 2-1 Premier League victory away at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The damage occurred as a direct result of a heavy challenge from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven, which came as Isak was in the process of scoring his side's opening goal.
Isak was helped from the pitch in visible distress, and subsequent MRI scans confirmed the club's worst fears. The injury, which included a fractured fibula, required surgery on Monday. Liverpool have not specified an exact return date, but have confirmed the £125 million forward will be sidelined for several months.
A Devastating Setback for Isak and Slot
This latest injury represents a cruel setback for Isak, whose start to life at Anfield has been persistently disrupted by fitness issues. After missing much of pre-season with former club Newcastle United amid the protracted transfer, he then suffered a groin injury in the Champions League that ruled him out for almost a month.
His goal against Tottenham was only his second in the Premier League for Liverpool and his third overall. It was also the first time he had combined with fellow summer signing Florian Wirtz, a partnership manager Arne Slot had hoped would be a cornerstone of the champions' title defence.
There is understood to be frustration within Liverpool that Van de Ven's challenge went unpunished by referee John Brooks and was not reviewed by VAR official Stuart Attwell, especially in a match where Tottenham had two players sent off.
Liverpool's Attacking Resources Stretched
Isak's absence comes at a particularly challenging time for Slot's squad. With Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt and forward Cody Gakpo also currently injured, the manager's options in attack are now severely limited.
The striker becomes the second of Liverpool's major summer recruits to suffer a season-altering injury. Young defender Giovanni Leoni is already ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after sustaining an ACL injury on his debut in September.
All eyes will now be on how Liverpool and Slot adapt to cope without their marquee centre-forward for a crucial period of the season.
