Liverpool Hit by Injury Crisis as Alexander Isak Ruled Out for Months After Spurs Clash

Liverpool’s momentum has suffered a major setback after forward Alexander Isak was ruled out for several months following a serious injury sustained during the Reds’ dramatic 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Manager Arne Slot confirmed that the Swedish international will be sidelined for “a couple of months” after suffering a fracture during the match, describing the incident as a huge blow both for the player and the club at a crucial stage of the season.

Isak was injured after a sliding challenge from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven as he scored in the second half. 

Although the goal proved decisive, the moment was overshadowed by the severity of the injury, which forced the striker off and immediately raised concerns among Liverpool’s medical staff.

In a statement released after further medical assessments, Liverpool revealed that Isak had undergone surgery on what was described as an ankle injury involving a fracture of the fibula. 

The club confirmed that his recovery would take several weeks, ruling him out of key domestic and European fixtures.

“It’s going to be a long injury,” Slot said. 

“It’s a big disappointment for him and, as a result, for us. You never want to see a player injured like that, especially when he was just starting to show what he can do.”

The Liverpool boss did not hide his frustration with the challenge that led to the injury, calling it reckless and avoidable.

“For me, it was a reckless challenge,” Slot added. 

“If you make that tackle 10 times, there is a serious chance that a player gets badly injured. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened.”

The incident has sparked debate among pundits and fans, with opinions divided over whether Van de Ven’s tackle crossed the line. 

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher offered a more sympathetic view of the Spurs defender, suggesting the challenge was part of the game rather than malicious intent.

“I put myself in Van de Ven’s position, and that’s a challenge I’d probably make,” Carragher said during analysis on Sky Sports. 

“He’s trying to block the shot. It’s the follow-through that causes the problem. You can’t just let the striker shoot in that situation.”

Carragher described the injury as a case of bad luck rather than foul play, noting that football is filled with split-second decisions that can sometimes have unfortunate consequences.

For Liverpool, however, the timing could hardly be worse. Isak’s injury comes at a point when the Reds are already light in attacking options, raising concerns about squad depth as fixtures pile up.

The 25-year-old forward joined Liverpool late in the summer transfer window after a complicated pre-season that saw him left out of Newcastle United’s tour of Asia. 

While the club cited a minor thigh issue at the time, it later emerged that Isak was exploring a move away, eventually sealing a switch to Anfield on deadline day.

His Liverpool career has so far been stop-start. He made his debut in a Champions League win over Atletico Madrid in September and scored his first goal for the club in a narrow victory against Southampton. 

However, injuries and inconsistent form have limited his impact, preventing him from enjoying a sustained run in the team.

The strike against Tottenham was seen as a turning point — a glimpse of the quality and confidence that persuaded Liverpool to sign him. That moment now feels bittersweet, as it may be his last appearance for several months.

“It’s a huge blow,” Carragher noted. 

“Liverpool were arguably one attacker short already, and losing Isak makes that situation even tougher.”