Liverpool striker Alexander Isak will miss at least two months after breaking his leg and undergoing surgery, manager Arne Slot confirmed Tuesday.
Isak got injured scoring Liverpool’s opener in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham, when his foot caught between Micky van de Ven’s legs as the defender blocked his shot. It’s a major setback for Liverpool’s faltering title defense.
“A couple of months out—that’s huge for him and us,” Slot said ahead of Saturday’s home clash with winless Wolves. He called van de Ven’s challenge reckless: “Do that tackle 10 times, and 10 times there’s serious injury risk.”
Liverpool shattered the British transfer record with a £125 million ($168.81 million) move for the Sweden international from Newcastle in September.
Hugo Ekitike, another new signing with eight league goals from Eintracht Frankfurt, steps up. “He needs to build strength but already has—he’s fast, scores, dribbles brilliantly. With his physique and speed, he can become physically elite,” Slot said.
Fifth-placed Liverpool chase leaders Arsenal against bottom-dwelling Wolves, but injuries pile up: Isak, Wataru Endo, and Joe Gomez out; Cody Gakpo and Conor Bradley not fully fit; Mohamed Salah at AFCON.
“It’s time for available players to roll up sleeves—like they always have—and fans to back us,” Slot urged.
