Isak’s Injury Details & Turbulent Start at Liverpool
Liverpool have confirmed that striker Alexander Isak has sustained a fracture in his left leg and successfully undergone surgery. The club is yet to provide a specific recovery timeline, but the Sweden international is expected to be sidelined for at least several months.
The 26-year-old suffered an ankle injury involving a fibula fracture during Liverpool’s match against Tottenham on Saturday. Coming off the bench, Isak scored for Arne Slot’s side but was injured by a challenge from Micky van de Ven immediately after taking the decisive shot.He had to be helped off the pitch in visible discomfort.
Signed from Newcastle in September for a Premier League-record £125m, Isak has scored three goals in 16 appearances for Liverpool. His time at Anfield has been plagued by setbacks.
He was omitted from Newcastle’s pre-season Asia tour due to a minor thigh injury amid speculation of a desire to leave, and trained alone at former club Real Sociedad before joining Liverpool on deadline day.
Isak has struggled with form and fitness since his debut. He made his Reds bow in a Champions League win over Atletico Madrid on September 17, and netted his first club goal in a 2-1 victory over Southampton.
He scored his first league goal for Slot at West Ham on November 30, and added another against Tottenham prior to his injury. Slot is scheduled to address the media at a press conference on Tuesday morning (09:00 GMT).
Seismic Blow: Injury’s Impact on Liverpool’s Attack & January Transfer Plans
Isak’s injury is a seismic blow to Liverpool, particularly as the club faces a shortage of attacking depth heading into the January transfer window.
Mohamed Salah is currently away representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations—having scored the winner in Egypt’s opener on Monday—and is unlikely to leave in January despite ongoing uncertainty over his future.
However, Liverpool must plan for life after Salah, who is set to depart when his contract expires in 2027.
Other attacking options present challenges: Cody Gakpo, who has been inconsistent this season, is injured but set to return next month.
Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha have seen limited game time under Slot. Hugo Ekitike has emerged as a bright spot, adapting brilliantly to Merseyside with 11 goals since his summer arrival.
- Isak has two goals from 10 Premier League games for Liverpool
Ekitike will lead the line in Isak’s absence.
Liverpool are targeting a versatile forward, with Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo the obvious candidate—he can play on both flanks, though he also attracts interest from Manchester City, Manchester United, and other clubs.
The 25-year-old Ghana international has a £65m release clause that can be activated next month. Prior to Isak’s injury, Slot emphasized the club’s financial constraints: “The outside world wants to believe we have unlimited money but that is not true.”
Despite spending over £415m in the summer (a Premier League record for a single transfer window) and recouping over £187m in sales, Liverpool does have room to spend in January if they choose to.
The injury is a huge disappointment for both Isak and Liverpool, but the club retains the flexibility to strengthen their attack mid-season.
