Liverpool striker Alexander Isak faces months out with a fractured fibula, but Arne Slot already has Hugo Ekitike ready to lead the line for his side.
Liverpool already have a clear-cut replacement for Alexander Isak following confirmation of his injury severity on Monday evening. The Sweden striker, 26, was caught by a robust challenge from Micky van de Ven whilst netting against Tottenham on Saturday night, forcing his withdrawal after merely 11 minutes on the pitch.
Isak instantly grabbed his lower leg and limped off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The injury appeared severe, with Liverpool confirming that was the case in an official statement.
Their medical update stated: "Alexander Isak has today successfully underwent surgery on the injury he sustained on Saturday. The Liverpool striker was injured in a challenge in the process of scoring the opening goal against Tottenham Hotspur and had to be substituted.
"After diagnosis, an operation was completed today on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture. Isak's rehabilitation will now continue at the AXA Training Centre, with no timeframe yet placed on his return."
After Isak's opening goal, Hugo Ekitike extended the visitors' lead soon after with a brilliantly placed header past Guglielmo Vicario. That marked his fifth strike in three Premier League outings, as well, making it crystal clear he's equipped to shoulder the responsibility of being Liverpool's frontman.
Slot appears satisfied with his displays, though he still expects even greater things from the French forward. The Liverpool manager commented: "He still needs to get stronger, but he's already become stronger. He can score a goal, he has great footwork, dribbling skills, he has so much in his locker.
"He's adjusted to the Premier League now, the biggest thing is how he can become physically outstanding, that's what he's working on really hard.
"In the last two, three, four minutes he was very, very, very tired at Tottenham. I see this often.
"But there's hardly any rest for these players, I have to give them a lot of compliments. Every time they fight, fight and fight from first second to the last."
With Isak sidelined for the coming months, Slot's closing remarks may raise alarm bells considering Liverpool face four fixtures in just 12 days. That's beginning with their encounter against Wolves.
Slot is grappling with multiple fitness concerns after both Florian Wirtz and Conor Bradley left the Spurs match with suspected issues. This adds to the existing unavailability of Cody Gakpo, Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez.
Discussing the injury situation, Slot revealed: "Conor will be 50/50. He's not training with us today or tomorrow.
"Friday we will see exactly where he is if he can be in squad. Joe won't be available, Wata won't be, Cody is a bit similar to Conor.