Liverpool have been handed a significant setback after confirming that striker Alexander Isak has undergone surgery on an ankle injury, ruling him out for an extended period.
The Premier League champions revealed on Monday that the procedure addressed an injury including a fracture to the fibula, sustained during Saturday’s 2–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Isak, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in September for a British record fee of £125 million, was injured in the act of scoring his goal. The 26-year-old was caught in a challenge from Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven and was forced to limp off immediately after finding the net.
In an official statement, the club said:
“Alexander Isak today successfully underwent surgery on the injury he sustained on Saturday.
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.”
A difficult start at Anfield
The injury represents the latest setback in what has been a frustrating start to Isak’s Liverpool career. He has managed just three goals in 16 appearances since his high-profile move to Anfield.
A contractual dispute with Newcastle meant Isak arrived without a proper pre-season, leaving him short of match fitness compared to his new teammates. His campaign was further disrupted earlier in the season by a groin injury.
Attacking concerns for Arne Slot
Isak’s absence compounds Liverpool manager Arne Slot’s selection problems in attack. Mohamed Salah is currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Cody Gakpo is not expected to return from a muscle injury until early in the new year.
That leaves Hugo Ekitike, who has scored five goals in his last four matches, and Federico Chiesa, who has seen limited playing time, as Slot’s only senior forward options.
League position
Liverpool, whose title defence faltered earlier in the season following a poor run of results, have climbed to fifth place after extending their unbeaten league streak to five matches.
Slot reacts
Speaking after the Tottenham game, Slot admitted he feared the worst:
“If a player doesn’t even try to come back, that is usually not a good thing.
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.”
With surgery now confirmed, Liverpool face a challenging period as they look to maintain momentum without their record signing.
