Liverpool have been dealt a severe injury blow with the news that record signing Alexander Isak faces a prolonged period on the sidelines after fracturing his leg.
How the Injury Happened
The Swedish international, 26, sustained the significant injury during the opening moments of Liverpool's victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. Isak fractured his left fibula in a challenge with Spurs defender Micky van de Ven as he scored the game's first goal. The £125 million forward was unable to celebrate the strike and had to be helped from the pitch by medical staff.
Following MRI scans to determine the full extent of the damage, Isak underwent surgery on Monday, which the club has confirmed was successful. Liverpool's official statement detailed the injury as "an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture" and noted that his rehabilitation will commence at the AXA Training Centre. Crucially, the club has not provided a specific timeframe for his return to action.
A Nightmare Start at Anfield
This latest setback compounds what has been a desperately difficult beginning to Isak's Liverpool career following his British record move from Newcastle United on deadline day. Having missed pre-season while the transfer was finalised, he then suffered a groin injury during a Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt after working to regain fitness.
His goal output has been limited, with Sunday's effort at Tottenham being just his third for the club. His first came in the Carabao Cup against Southampton in September, followed by his maiden Premier League goal in the win over West Ham United in November.
Manager Slot's Attacking Crisis
The loss of Isak leaves head coach Arne Slot critically short of forward options. The situation is exacerbated by the absence of other key attackers:
- Cody Gakpo is also currently injured.
- Mohamed Salah is away representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
- Dominik Szoboszlai is suspended for the upcoming match against Wolverhampton Wanderers after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season.
With Isak's rehabilitation programme now underway, Liverpool must navigate a busy period of the season without their marquee summer signing, placing increased pressure on the remaining fit members of the squad to deliver.
