Liverpool Hit by Isak Setback After Ankle Surgery
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after the Premier League champions confirmed he had undergone surgery on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture on Monday.
Isak, signed from Newcastle for a British record £125 million in September, sustained the injury while scoring in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham on Saturday. The 26-year-old was tackled by Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven and limped off immediately after his goal.
“Alexander Isak today successfully underwent surgery on the injury he sustained on Saturday,” a Liverpool statement said.
“After diagnosis, an operation was completed today on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture.
Isak’s rehabilitation will now continue at the AXA Training Centre, with no timeframe yet placed on his return.”
The setback adds to what has been a difficult start to Isak’s Liverpool career. He has managed just three goals in 16 appearances since completing his protracted move to Anfield.
A dispute with Newcastle meant he missed a proper pre-season programme and arrived at Liverpool behind his team-mates in terms of fitness. His campaign was then interrupted by a groin injury.
Isak’s absence is a major blow for Reds manager Arne Slot, with Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations and Cody Gakpo not expected to return from a muscle injury until early in the new year. Slot is left with Hugo Ekitike, who has scored five goals in his past four matches, and the little-used Federico Chiesa as his only senior forwards.
Liverpool, whose title defence faltered after a poor run of results, have climbed to fifth in the table after extending their unbeaten league run to five games.
Speaking immediately after the match, Slot admitted Isak’s injury was “not a good thing.”
“If a player doesn’t even try to come back, that is usually not a good thing but I cannot say anything more than that,” he said.
“That is just gut feeling and nothing medical… let’s not be too negative yet. We don’t know yet. Let’s hope he is back with us soon.”
