LONDON: Liverpool have been dealt a major blow after striker Alexander Isak underwent surgery on an ankle injury that includes a fractured fibula, the Premier League champions confirmed on Monday.
The 26-year-old Sweden international was injured while scoring in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday. Isak was caught by defender Micky van de Ven and was forced to limp off immediately after finding the net.
“Alexander Isak today successfully underwent surgery on the injury he sustained on Saturday,” the club said in a statement.
“An operation was completed on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture. His rehabilitation will continue at the AXA Training Centre, with no timeframe yet placed on his return.”
Signed from Newcastle in September for a British record £125 million (about RM685 million), Isak has endured a difficult start to life at Anfield. He has scored three goals in 16 appearances, with his season disrupted by fitness issues following a delayed pre-season and a subsequent groin injury.
Isak’s absence further complicates matters for manager Arne Slot, who is already without Mohamed Salah due to the Africa Cup of Nations, while Cody Gakpo remains sidelined with a muscle injury.
Slot is left with Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa as his senior attacking options, raising the prospect of Liverpool strengthening their forward line during the January transfer window.
Former defender Jamie Carragher described Isak’s injury as “really bad luck”, adding that it was one of the clearest signs yet of the striker’s quality in a Liverpool shirt. – AFP
