Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is ‘likely’ to be out for eight to ten weeks after an injury expert assessed his injury against Tottenham.
Isak and Hugo Ekitike both scored to put Liverpool 2-0 up against ten-man Tottenham after Xavi Simons had been sent off on 33 minutes.
Richarlison managed to get one back on 83 minutes but it was too little too late as Thomas Frank’s ten men were reduced to nine men when Cristian Romero was also shown a red card in second-half injury time.
While scoring the opening goal of the game on 56 minutes, Liverpool striker Isak was wiped out by Micky van de Ven and had to hobble off injured immediately after he’d scored.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot gave his “gut feeling” that it’s “usually not a good thing” when a player doesn’t attempt to come back on the pitch after being injured.
When asked if Isak had a feeling about the severity of his injury, Slot added: “Haven’t spoken to him about that yet.
READ: Arne Slot makes Liverpool played like nine men comment after surviving Spurs comeback
“It’s a good thing he scored, a good goal, assisted by Florian Wirtz, I said last week players are getting better, the team is getting better, again, wasn’t perfect today, especially in the last 10 minutes but in the meantime we pick up points and I see the team developing in a way I’d like to see.”
And now football injury expert Physio Scout reckons it’s ‘likely’ that Isak has suffered a ‘high ankle sprain’ and will be out for between eight and ten weeks.
Physio Scout wrote on X: ‘INJURY UPDATE: Alexander Isak had to come off in Liverpool vs. Spurs with a leg injury. Scissor-tackle type mechanism typically brings concern for a high/medial ankle sprain, potentially due to forced ankle eversion and rotation.
‘Fibula (lower leg bone) also is a common injury site due to direct contact. These types of tackles can also place stress on the knee structures due to forced valgus, particularly the MCL. ACL is also vulnerable, but less likely.
‘Expected Recovery Times: If high ankle sprain: 8-10 weeks If medial ankle sprain: 2-6 weeks If MCL: depending on grade, can range from 2-12 weeks.
‘More likely scenario here is a high ankle sprain, X-rays and further scans will be needed to clear any fracture sites.’
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Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann recently made the prediction that the Reds will look to sell Isak if his form doesn’t improve between now and the end of the season.
Hamann told JeffBet: “I think Liverpool will be okay financially, even without the Champions League, because they wouldn’t have spent the money they did if they couldn’t afford it. Liverpool haven’t been big spenders before last summer and they tend to spend the money wisely.
“If Liverpool don’t perform, then they won’t be forced to sell. However, players like Alexander Isak or Florian Wirtz may have their futures looked at if they aren’t performing and the club aren’t in the Champions League.
“I’m not sure Liverpool will sell anyone in January, but if things don’t pick up for Alexander Isak come March or April, they’ll probably have discussions to sell him to a club like Barcelona in the summer.
“There will be plenty of takers for Isak because he’s shown his ability at Newcastle. It also largely depends on the form of Ekitike, because if he continues to improve, it will be a struggle for Isak to get games unless he’s forced out wide.”