Liverpool are playing a waiting game over the fitness of their record signing.
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The £130m man Alexander Isak hobbled off during the victory at Spurs yesterday, having broken the deadlock in the 56th minute. But his joy was short-lived as he was caught by Micky van de Ven on his left ankle.
This could pile striking woes on to the Anfield side with Mo Salah - who was already clearly put out after being dropped - at the African Cup of Nations and Cody Gakpo not expected back this week after a muscle problem suffered in the draw with Leeds.
Liverpool went on to win yesterday’s game 2-1 - it was Isak’s third goal for the club and after a terrible run of form was the side’s third consecutive win.
“I don’t have any news,” Arne Slot said about the injury. “But if a player doesn’t even try to come back, that is usually not a good thing but I cannot say anything more than that. That is just gut feeling and nothing medical.
“(The goal) is what we would like to see happening a lot. A good finish, a good pass, but let’s not be too negative yet. We don’t know yet. Let’s hope he is back with us soon.
“With Alex and Conor (Bradley) we have to wait. You could see our bench as well, but this is not the first time in the last few weeks and we’re picking up points. That’s the main thing.”
The noise around Slot’s position increased dramatically during a terrible November with a 4-1 home loss to PSV particularly painful. However, Liverpool have seemingly emerged stronger with three consecutive wins in an unbeaten run of six matches to move back into the top-four picture.
Slot added: “Of course we’re happy with that but when we started the season, it wasn’t as if I was thrilled and completely happy when we were top-four. We’re always aiming for the best possible and after the very good start we had, we were disappointed with the run of results we had afterwards, but we are now on equal points for top-four.
“I think it has never been as bad as people said, but it’s also true that we are definitely not perfect yet. We knew this and when we made so many changes in the summer, that it would take time.”
Spurs boss Thomas Frank is the current Premier League boss under the microscope and this latest home loss made it five defeats in eight matches.
Tottenham are seven points off Liverpool and will be without Xavi Simons for three matches after his first-half red card.
Captain Cristian Romero will also sit out the trip to Crystal Palace on December 28 following his sending-off, but Frank vented his frustration at Xavi’s punishment after his tackle on Virgil van Dijk.
“Yeah, that’s of course disappointing,” Frank reflected. “If it was intentional or a very stupid tackle, which I don’t think it is, then it’s one thing. So, I just think it’s too harsh a tackle like that can be three games. One game? OK, that’s one thing, but three games? Of course, is too much.”
Xavi added: “Mistakes happen. Virg is my captain, I would never intentionally hurt him or anyone. To my Spurs team-mates, my manager and the fans, I take responsibility. I’m really sorry.”