Liverpool fear ‘significant injury’ Tottenham star’s challenge
Liverpool harbour serious concerns that Alexander Isak has suffered substantial damage to his lower leg following their narrow triumph over Tottenham on Saturday afternoon.
The Swedish international entered the contest as a second-half substitute and broke the deadlock at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, only to be caught by a sliding challenge from Micky van de Ven moments after releasing his shot.
The 26-year-old was unable to join in any celebration, immediately calling for medical assistance whilst clearly in considerable distress.
A stretcher was initially brought onto the pitch, though Isak eventually departed with support from Liverpool’s medical team, unable to continue despite the significance of his goal.
Alexander Isak’s goal against Liverpool was bittersweet after he suffered a brutal injury
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REUTERS
The club arranged for MRI scans to take place on Sunday, with the results set to establish precisely how long the forward will be unavailable for selection.
Liverpool’s head coach Arne Slot offered a candid assessment following the match, acknowledging the worrying signs surrounding his striker’s condition.
“We’ll have to wait and see,” Slot remarked. “But if a player scores and then gets injured and doesn’t try to come back on the pitch, that’s usually not a good thing.”
The manager described his assessment as “gut feeling and nothing medical” whilst urging supporters not to assume the worst before full test results are available.
Slot is scheduled to address the media at his next press conference on Tuesday.
Tottenham star Micky van de Ven scythed Alexander Isak down after the ball had already gone
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REUTERS
Isak’s setback compounds what has already been a frustrating maiden campaign at Anfield since completing his record-breaking £125m transfer from Newcastle in September.
The Sweden international missed five matches between October and November due to a groin complaint, contributing to a disjointed start on Merseyside.
Saturday’s strike represented merely his second Premier League goal across ten appearances, and just his third in all competitions from sixteen outings.
Prior to his deadline day move, Isak was excluded from Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia with a minor thigh problem, during which period he trained independently at former club Real Sociedad.
His arrival without proper pre-season preparation left him lacking match sharpness.
Liverpool fear Alexander Isak could be out for a long time
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REUTERS
Liverpool’s attacking resources now face considerable strain, with Mohamed Salah currently representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations and Cody Gakpo sidelined through injury.
Hugo Ekitike, the French forward who arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt during the summer window, also found the net against Spurs and is anticipated to spearhead the attack in the coming weeks.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed an impressive campaign, netting eleven times this season with five goals in his last three league fixtures.
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak combine to give Liverpool the lead! 🔗 pic.twitter.com/3qBoui7D8z
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 20, 2025
Indeed, Ekitike’s prolific recent form was the primary reason Isak began Saturday’s encounter on the substitutes’ bench rather than in the starting eleven.
