Alexander Isak will be out for a couple of months after a “reckless” challenge by Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed.
Isak sustained a fracture to his left leg following a sliding tackle from Van de Ven as he scored for the Reds in a 2-1 win at Spurs.
The Sweden international had an operation on what Liverpool described as “an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture”.
“It’s going to be a long injury, for a couple of months,” said Slot. “It’s a big disappointment for him and, as a result, for us.”
“I’m confident he can [play a part in the back end of season)]. It’s been a really challenging and difficult period for him. You join a new club, he was very excited and you want to show immediately your qualities but that was simply impossible.
Alexander Isak scores for 0-1 but suffers an injury during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool. (Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images)
“If you haven’t trained for two or three months at a serious level, in this league you have to be on top of your game to impact a game of football.
“We knew it would take months. We knew it could take him time, that’s why he’s so unlucky he’s now injured. We all saw with his goals against West Ham and Tottenham, he got closer to the player and player he was at Newcastle.”
On Van de Van’s challenge, he added: “This was for me a reckless challenge. The tackle of Van de Ven – if you make that tackle 10 times – I think 10 times there is a serious chance that a player gets a serious injury.”
Liverpool’s £125m record signing Isak will now start rehabilitation as he hopes to come back stronger and better.
Arne Slot will also have to deal with Cody Gakpo’s injury, and with Mohamed Salah away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, they may look at doing some business in January.
