Liverpool have announced that Alexander Isak has undergone surgery after breaking his foot in last weekend’s game against Tottenham. The former Newcastle marksman suffered the injury while scoring the Reds’ opening goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He was seen writhing in agony and was treated by club doctors before staggering off the pitch and down the tunnel.
He was replaced by Jeremy Frimpong, who himself was substituted with an injury late in the contest. There were immediate concerns that Isaac had broken his leg, but Liverpool had to wait for scan results to confirm the seriousness of the problem. That scan has now taken place and their worst fears have been confirmed.
The reigning Premier League champions announced in a statement that Isak had suffered an ankle injury, including a fractured fibula.
He also said that although he underwent surgery on Monday, he has not yet confirmed when he will be able to return, and no timetable has been set for his recovery.
The statement read: “Alexander Isaac today successfully underwent surgery for the injury he sustained on Saturday.
“The Liverpool striker was injured in an attack on the way to scoring the opening goal against Tottenham Hotspur and had to be substituted.
“As a result of the diagnosis, surgery for the ankle injury, which included a fractured fibula, was completed today. Isaac’s rehabilitation will continue at the AXA Training Center, but a timetable for his return has not yet been determined.”
This leaves Liverpool’s only eligible striker in Hugo Ekitike, with Kodi Gakpo sidelined until the new year and Mohamed Salah set to represent Egypt at the African Cup of Nations.
Slott provided a brief update on Isak after the final whistle against Tottenham, admitting it rarely bodes well, especially if a player is unable to continue in the match after scoring a goal.
He said: “We’ll have to wait and see. But if a player scores and then gets injured and doesn’t want to get back on the pitch, that’s usually not a good thing.”
Meanwhile, former Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given believes Ekitike needs to tread carefully with Liverpool without a record signing.
Speaking on Match of the Day, the Irishman said: “It would be a huge loss if Isak is out injured again. He’s had a stop-start campaign so far, but Ekitike looks the real deal, doesn’t he?”
“He’s a great striker and he needs to step up. Of course Mo Salah also left to play in the African Cup of Nations. Ekitike also has to stay fit because it’s a big loss to have Isak out for a few weeks as well.”
