Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is set to be sidelined for around two months after fracturing his leg following what manager Arne Slot described as a “reckless” challenge from Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Swedish international sustained the injury while scoring the opening goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Spurs on Saturday. In a statement on Monday, the Premier League champions confirmed that Isak had undergone surgery on “an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture.”
“It’s going to be a long injury, for a couple of months,” Slot told reporters on Tuesday. “So, yeah, that’s a big, big, big disappointment for him. And as a result also of course for us.”
The Liverpool boss criticised Van de Ven’s challenge, describing it as dangerous.
“The tackle of Van de Ven, if you make that tackle 10 times, I think 10 times there’s a serious chance that a player gets a serious injury,” Slot said.
The setback is the latest in a difficult period for the 26-year-old forward, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle on transfer deadline day in September for a British record fee of £125 million ($168 million). Isak arrived at Anfield short of match fitness following a prolonged transfer saga and later suffered a groin injury that further disrupted his season.
Slot admitted it has been a “challenging and difficult period” for the striker, who has scored just three goals in 16 appearances across all competitions, but expressed confidence that Isak can still make a significant impact later in the campaign.
“You join a new club, usually when you join a new club, he was very excited of course as well, but you want to show immediately all the qualities you have, but that was simply impossible,” Slot said.
“Maybe no one understands, but if you haven’t trained for three or four months on a serious level with the team, and you are playing in this league, you need to be on top of your game to impact a game of football.”
He added: “We always knew it would take him time and that’s why he’s so unlucky that he’s now injured because we all saw with his goal against West Ham, with this goal, that he was getting closer and closer to the player he was last season at Newcastle.”
Isak’s absence is a major blow for Liverpool, with Mohamed Salah currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations and Cody Gakpo a doubt for Saturday’s home clash against bottom club Wolves. Hugo Ekitike, who has scored five goals in his last four matches, and Federico Chiesa are the only available senior forwards.
The injury could prompt Liverpool to reinforce their attacking options in the January transfer window, although Slot declined to comment on speculation linking the club with Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.
Isak’s setback may also influence discussions surrounding Salah’s future. The Egyptian forward has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia after making critical comments about the club in a recent interview, though he returned to action before departing for international duty.
Liverpool’s Premier League title defence had faltered after six defeats in seven matches, but the team have since steadied themselves and are currently on a five-game unbeaten run.
