Injury update after Spurs win and surgery details
Liverpool manager Arne Slot says Alexander Isak is likely to be out for a couple of months after being injured in the 2-1 win at Tottenham. Isak broke his left leg when he was caught by a sliding challenge from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven as he scored for the Reds. The Sweden forward has since had surgery on what Liverpool described as an ankle injury that also involved a fibula fracture. Slot said the setback is a major disappointment for Isak and for the team.
Debate over the challenge and Liverpool’s attacking options
Van de Ven was not punished for the tackle, while Tottenham team mate Xavi Simons was sent off earlier in the match for a late challenge on Virgil van Dijk that caught him on the calf. Slot said Simons’ tackle looked unintentional and unlikely to cause a serious injury, but described Van de Ven’s as a reckless one, adding that this type of challenge carries a high risk of a player being badly hurt.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher called the injury a huge blow, but said he understood why Van de Ven went in, arguing the defender was trying to block the shot and the follow through was hard to avoid. Carragher also said it was unfortunate for Isak, and that the goal showed one of the first clear signs of his quality in a Liverpool shirt.
Liverpool host Wolves on Saturday and Slot’s forward choices are already thinner with Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt. Cody Gakpo has been sidelined with a muscle problem but could return in time for the Wolves match. Jeremie Frimpong came back from a hamstring injury against Tottenham, appearing as a substitute on the right wing, and Slot said he is now fit enough to start if required. Slot also ruled out bringing Harvey Elliott back early from his loan at Aston Villa, saying the midfielder is expected to stay there for the season.
