LiverpoolWorld

An early look at Liverpool and Wolves’ current injury lists ahead of their end-of-year clash

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Liverpool are set to be without Alexander Isak for ‘a few months’ as the club are expected to confirm he has suffered a broken leg.

The Reds’ record signing was forced off the pitch against Tottenham Hotspur following a challenge from Micky van de Ven, which has left him with ‘significant damage’ to his lower leg, according to the latest updates.

This significant blow adds Isak to Arne Slot’s already lengthy absence list ahead of their final Premier League game of the year. Liverpool will return to action after Christmas host their last home match of 2025, when they welcome Wolves to Anfield on December 27th.

Here’s an early look at both sides’ latest injury news ahead of their meeting this weekend.

Liverpool latest injury news

Isak is the latest to go in the injury book as he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with ‘significant damage’ to his leg. You can find out more on the latest with Isak here.

Liverpool are down two further attackers as Mohamed Salah is away at AFCON and Cody Gakpo remains out with a muscular problem. In his recent pre-match conference ahead of Tottenham, Slot suggested the Dutchman could return sooner than expected, but not in time to face Wolves.

Joe Gomez is also out with a muscle injury and there is yet to be an estimation given on when he might return. He joins Giovanni Leoni on the absence list in defence - the summer signing is out long-term after suffering an ACL injury on his Liverpool debut. Conor Bradley recently made his return to the team but was replaced at half-time during the Spurs game. Slot will hope it’s not a serious issue with his right-back but little has been said so far.

Wataru Endo is expected to return in January after being quoted ‘weeks’ out of action with an ankle injury. Stefan Bajcetic remains a long-term absentee as injuries continue to hamper his time in red. Jayden Danns is also out of action but could return in the new year.

Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz raised some concerns when he was seen rubbing his hamstring before being substituted off late against Spurs. However, little has been said on his fitness, and his stoppage time replacement may have been precautionary.

Dominik Szoboszlai will miss the final clash of the year due to a yellow card suspension after picking up his fifth of the season against Spurs.

Players out for Liverpool: Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Giovanni Leoni, Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, Cody Gakpo, Joe Gomez, Stefan Bajcetic, Jayden Danns

Players in doubt for Liverpool: Florian Wirtz

Wolves latest injury news

The struggling Wolves are yet to get their first win on the board this season and injuries have not been kind to them either. Rob Edwards currently has eight absences to oversee as he hopes to see his side turn their form.

Rodrigo Gomes will not return until the new year after undergoing surgery on a groin injury. He was given an 8-12 week timeframe at the start of November.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is out with a hamstring injury and also not expected back until 2026. Marshall Munetsi is quoted to be ‘a few weeks away’ from returning after picking up a problem with his calf.

Leon Chiwome has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury, while Toti Gomes and Daniel Bentley do not currently have estimated return dates. Like Salah, Emmanuel Agbadou is at AFCON and will be representing the Ivory Coast until at least the end of December.

One positive for Wolves is that Hugo Bueno could return against Liverpool after Edwards suggested he ‘should be ready’ after their latest clash against Brentford.

Players out for Wolves: Rodrigo Gomes, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Marshall Munetsi, Leon Chiwome, Toti Gomes, Daniel Bentley, Emmanuel Agbadou

Players in doubt for Wolves: Hugo Bueno

Alexander Isak injury update as the striker is facing a spell spell on the sidelines after Liverpool’s victory over Tottenham.

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Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has suffered a suspected leg break.

Isak was forced off in the Reds’ 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur last Saturday after opening the scoring. The Sweden international, who had come off the bench at half-time, opened the scoring with a clinical finish in the 56th minute.

But Isak could not celebrate his second Premier League goal since moving to Liverpool from Newcastle United for a British record fee of £125 million. He was clattered by a late challenge from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven. Isak needed several minutes of treatment before being replaced by Jeremie Frimpong.

The Reds are concerned about the damage that Isak has sustained and The Athletic suggests that he may have broken his leg. It’s suggested by the publication that Isak could be unavailable for a few months.

According to the popular social media account @physioscout, which provides football injury analysis, the timescale on Isak’s absence will depend on the type of damage he has sustained. The ex-Real Sociedad striker could be unavailable for anywhere between six weeks to more than five months.

A post on X said: “Unfortunately, reports are pointing towards a broken leg/ankle for Alexander Isak. A few possibilities are as follows.

“Possible Recovery Times: Fibula fracture alone: 6-10 weeks w/ surgery. Syndesmosis and fibula fracture: 12+ weeks Tibia fracture: 3-5 months + Best possible outcome would likely be an isolated fibula fracture based off mechanism. Let’s hope for just a fibula fracture in this context.”

Alexander Isak injury update as the striker is facing a spell spell on the sidelines after Liverpool’s victory over Tottenham.

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Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has suffered a suspected leg break.

Isak was forced off in the Reds’ 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur last Saturday after opening the scoring. The Sweden international, who had come off the bench at half-time, opened the scoring with a clinical finish in the 56th minute.

But Isak could not celebrate his second Premier League goal since moving to Liverpool from Newcastle United for a British record fee of £125 million. He was clattered by a late challenge from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven. Isak needed several minutes of treatment before being replaced by Jeremie Frimpong.

The Reds are concerned about the damage that Isak has sustained and The Athletic suggests that he may have broken his leg. It’s suggested by the publication that Isak could be unavailable for a few months.

According to the popular social media account @physioscout, which provides football injury analysis, the timescale on Isak’s absence will depend on the type of damage he has sustained. The ex-Real Sociedad striker could be unavailable for anywhere between six weeks to more than five months.

A post on X said: “Unfortunately, reports are pointing towards a broken leg/ankle for Alexander Isak. A few possibilities are as follows.

“Possible Recovery Times: Fibula fracture alone: 6-10 weeks w/ surgery. Syndesmosis and fibula fracture: 12+ weeks Tibia fracture: 3-5 months + Best possible outcome would likely be an isolated fibula fracture based off mechanism. Let’s hope for just a fibula fracture in this context.”

Milos Kerkez was keen to praise two of his Liverpool teammates following their win over Tottenham Hotspur

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Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez hailed the impact of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as the Reds hung on for three points against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday night.

The Reds went 2-0 up via goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike against 10-man Spurs. However, the hosts hit back through Richarlison late in the game and then put the away side under pressure as they pushed for an equaliser.

Tottenham went down to nine men after Cristian Romero was shown a second yellow card for kicking out at Konate, which played into Liverpool’s hands as Spurs were unable to find the late equaliser.

Late on, Van Dijk and Konate had to stand strong at the back to keep out the Tottenham onslaught. Konate had four clearances and three headed clearances during the game while Van Dijk made six clearances with six headed clearances.

Milos Kerkez hails Van Dijk and Konate impact

It was their ability to deal with the late high balls which impressed Kerkez as he reflected on a hard-earned three points.

“It was a tough game really, I didn’t expect it to go like that - especially in the last 10 minutes,” Kerkez told BBC Radio Merseyside after the game.

“I think, until then, we played quite well. We had a lot of chances to score more but it was maybe a bit of an unlucky goal [to concede] and from then it was really tough 10 minutes even with to red cards.

“Virg and Ibra headed the balls away. Brilliant. And Ali had a couple of saves to help us get three points.”

He continued: “They brought everybody into the box and it was really tough. The second and third balls, we should clear it better and go higher [up the pitch]. It is what it is but it is another three points.

“Liverpool need to win games and we have to keep going.”

Liverpool now unbeaten in six

It was far from a convincing performance from Arne Slot’s side but the Reds are now unbeaten in six games in all competitions with four wins and two draws. They have beaten Brighton and Spurs in their last two Premier League games.

They did drop points in draws with Leeds United and Sunderland. The nature of the performance will not please Slot as the Reds looked to be struggling against nine men, but he will enjoy learning from a win compared to a loss.

"I thought it would mean it would be easier, but in reality it wasn't,” said Slot afterwards.

"I thought against nine we would be able to keep them away from goal but it looked like were down to nine and they had 11."

Alexander Isak and Conor Bradley were both forced off in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

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Alisson Becker is hopeful that Alexander Isak has avoided a serious Liverpool injury after he was forced off during the victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

The Reds earned a 2-1 win over Spurs but it came at a cost. Isak was introduced at half-time after Conor Bradley could not continue. And with Tottenham being down to 10 men after Xavi Simons’ 33rd-minute red card, Isak broke the deadlock with a clinical finish on 56 minutes.

However, the striker could not celebrate his second Premier League goal since his transfer from Newcastle United for a British record fee of £125 million. After shooting, he was clattered by Spurs defender Micky van de Ven. Isak needed several minutes of treatment before having to be withdrawn.

Liverpool have a nervous wait to see how long Isak could be sidelined for. After the game, head coach Arne Slot said: “I don't have any news on him, but if a player scores, then gets injured and then doesn't come back on the pitch and doesn't try to come back... which Conor Bradley, for example, did, but I had to take him off as well because he couldn't go on, but if a player doesn't even try to come back that's usually not a good thing. But I cannot say anything more than that, that is just [a] gut feeling. Nothing medical to say about it.”

Speaking to Stadium Astro after the game, Alisson is praying that Isak has avoided a serious injury. “I think he’ll be okay,” said the No.1 goalkeeper. “Happy for him for scoring the goal but of course we don’t want him to be injured. “Hopefully it’s just a knock, nothing too serious, because he can help our team so much with his quality and that’s what we hope.”

Florian Wirtz recorded his maiden Premier League assist since he joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for £100 million in the summer transfer window. Wirtz is also wishing that Isak has avoided a major fitness issue, while he suggested that Bradley - who had to be taken off at half-time - is not set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

Wirtz told LFCTV: “With Alex, it’s a bit unlucky. I hope it’s not too bad but have to wait. With the others, I think they’re not too serious but hopefully Alex will be back soon.”

Liverpool principal owner John Henry’s wife, Linda Pizzuti, took to Instragam as she reacted to Isak’s injury. Posting on her story, she said: “Three points away, hoping Isak is okay.”

Alexander Isak injury news after Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

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Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is likely to have avoided a serious knee injury, it has been suggested.

But the Sweden international could still face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being forced off in the 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Isak came off the bench at half-time and put the Reds in front against 10-man Spurs only 10 minutes later with a clinical finish. However, he did not get to celebrate his second Premier League goal since joining Liverpool from Newcastle United for a British record fee of £125 million. After shooting, Isak was clattered by a late challenge from Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven.

The centre-forward needed several minutes of treatment and could not continue. After the game, Anfield head coach Arne Slot could not give too many details about the nature of Isak’s issue. Slot said: “I don't have any news on him, but if a player scores, then gets injured and then doesn't come back on the pitch and doesn't try to come back... which Conor Bradley, for example, did, but I had to take him off as well because he couldn't go on, but if a player doesn't even try to come back that's usually not a good thing. But I cannot say anything more than that, that is just [a] gut feeling. Nothing medical to say about it.”

Injury analysis

There have been some fears that Isak might have sustained anterior cruciate ligament damage. In that case, the 26-year-old would not play again this season.

However, according to the popular social media account @physioscout, which provides football injury analysis, ACL damage is ‘less likely’ than an ankle problem. But a high-level sprain could see Isak unavailable for up to 10 weeks.

A post on Instagram said: “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.”

Liverpool also saw Conor Bradley taken off at half-time after having treatment in the first half. The right-back is able to make it to the interval before he was replaced by Isak.

Slot added: “With Alex and with Conor, we have to wait. You could see our bench today as well, but this is not for the first time in the last few weeks and we are picking up points and that's the main thing. We are not the only team that suffers injuries in this period in England because we play so many games. This is quite normal, that teams have injuries in this period of time.”

Liverpool survived a late scare to earn a 2-1 victory over nine-man Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

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Arne Slot admitted that he was ‘hurt’ that Liverpool did not manage to control the closing stages of their victory over Tottenham Hotspur despite a sizeable numerical advandtage.

The Reds survived an almighty scare to cling onto a 2-1 triumph over nine-man Spurs in North London. With Xavi Simons being issued a red card in the first half for serious foul play following a VAR review, Liverpool managed to capitalise.

After coming off at half-time, Alexander Isak fired the Reds in front - although suffering an injury in the process and had to be withdrawn - before Hugo Ekitike doubled the lead in the 66th minute.

Yet Liverpool left the door ajar and their weakness at defending set-pieces was exposed yet again when Richarlison reduced the deficit for Spurs with eight minutes remaining. And despite Tottenham captain Cristian Romero being dismissed for a second yellow card, meaning they had two players fewer, they continued to put Liverpool under siege during nine minutes of stoppage-time.

Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker made a couple of big saves in the dying embers to ensure that three points were delivered. For the second time this season, Liverpool were caused problems when their opponents had a player dismissed. In August, Newcastle United came from two goals behind before Liverpool netted a stoppage-time winner to avoid what would have been a sobering result.

Liverpool should have been able to easily see out a triumph against Spurs. Yet Slot rued that the Reds played like they were the team down to nine men. “That is definitely true (teams having momentum when they get a goal back),” Slot said at his post-match press conference.

“It is always difficult if I try to explain why it's difficult and then people tell me afterwards, 'You tell too much to your future opponents.' I think it was quite obvious what Newcastle did and it was quite obvious what Tottenham did, but then maybe I shouldn't say it.

“But in the meantime when we had the ball, that was what hurt me the most because from the nine minutes of added time – which ended up with 10 [and] were completely correct this time – I think they had 95 per cent of the ball. So every time when we had the ball, we kicked it away or we threw it away. It was unbelievable that we couldn't keep the ball a bit longer, so then you have to defend for nine minutes, nine-and-a-half minutes.”

Liverpool were handed a number of fresh injury concerns ahead of their festive schedule as they prepare for games with Wolves, Leeds United and Fulham

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Liverpool picked up three points against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday night but the victory was not without consequence as Arne Slot has been handed a number of fresh injury concerns.

Alexander Isak scored his second Premier League goal for the Reds with a trademark finish after being played in by Florian Wirtz. However, as he shot, he was caught by Micky Van de Ven and forced off.

Conor Bradley and Florian Wirtz were also withdrawn during the game with injury concerns as Liverpool face Wolves, Leeds United, Fulham and Arsenal in their next four games.

One player who will definitely miss Liverpool’s clash with Wolves is Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and under Premier League rules will now serve a one-game ban.

While Szoboszlai will definitely miss the next game, we have rounded up the latest updates on Liverpool’s injury players along with potential return dates...

Liverpool injury news and potential return dates

Wataru Endo

The Japan international has not played since the 3-3 draw with Leeds because of an ankle injury. In Slot’s latest update, he insisted the midfielder would be out for weeks when speaking just over a week ago.

Potential return date v Barnsley, January 12.

Cody Gakpo

Gakpo has also not been seen since the draw with Leeds due to a muscle issue. Speaking ahead of the win over Spurs, Slot said: “He had a scan that looked promising so that means that we are not that worried anymore, as we were maybe one or two weeks ago. So that means he might come back a bit earlier than expected two weeks ago, but that's definitely not tomorrow and also not next week."

Potential return date v Arsenal, January 8

Joe Gomez

The defender was forced off during the first half of the win over Brighton and Hove Albion. He was not fit enough for the trip to Tottenham but has not been ruled out long term.

Potential return date v Fulham, January 4

Giovanni Leoni

The summer signing is out for the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the end of his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup in late September.

Slot said at the time: "He is not in a good place, of course, because he tore his ACL and it means he will be out for a year. Being so young and coming to a new country and playing so well in your first game... it's very hard to take the positive side.

"There's never a positive side – but you always try to look at a positive side and that is that he is still so young, so he has so many years still to go after he recovers from a terrible injury like that."

Potential return date - August 2026

Florian Wirtz

The German international was seen pulling up from chasing a ball deep into second-half stoppage time against Spurs. He was holding his hamstring and was substituted after the game but Slot did not provide an update which would suggest his late withdrawal was just precautionary.

Potential return date v Wolves, December 27

Alexander Isak

The striker scored his second Premier League goal for the Reds after coming on at half time but that proved his last action as he was injured by a late challenge. Slot said after the game: "I don’t have any news on him, but if a player scores, then gets injured and then doesn’t come back on the pitch and doesn’t try to come back... that's usually not a good thing. But I cannot say anything more than that, that is just gut feeling. Nothing medical to say about it."

Potential return date - unknown

Conor Bradley

Bradley was also taken off during the in over Spurs as he required treatment following a collision with Djed Spence. The right-back’s injury history would suggest he may be out for a few weeks but no official confirmation has been given.

Tottenham Hotspur has Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero sent off in their 2-1 loss against Liverpool in the Premier League.

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank believes that Hugo Ekitike’s decisive goal being allowed to stand was even worse than the two red cards his side received in their loss to Liverpool.

The Reds delivered a 2-1 victory over Spurs in North London to move up to fifth in the Premier League table. Arne Slot’s side were given a huge advantage when Xavi Simons was sent-off for the hosts in the 33rd minute. Simons had initially been given a yellow card for catching Virgil van Dijk but it was upgraded to a red after a VAR review.

Alexander Isak put Arne Slot’s visitors in front in the 56th minute and Ekitike doubled the advantage 10 minutes later. However, Tottenham remonstrated that the France international pushed Cristian Romero when challenging for a header.

Romero was booked for his protests and although they were down to 10 men, Spurs reduced the arrears through Richarlison. And despite Romero being given his marching orders for a second caution, Tottenham were dominant in stoppage-time and went close to an equaliser.

While Frank took plenty of positives from Spurs’ performance, he could not believes that VAR did not intervene for Ekitike’s goal. He said: “ think overall it was a good performance tonight. Proud of the players and the team and how they responded. I actually think the first 30 (minutes) was also good from us and how we responded to setbacks through the game. It’s something we have been working very hard on because that is the biggest thing the best teams need to do. How do we respond to setbacks during a game because the best teams deal with it and move on and keep going. Stick to the plan, we talked about it before, structure and everything. Today we did that excellently. There was great personality and character in the team.

“The first red which I have seen before, I also said before definitely a few times at Brentford and I have seen others, I don’t like this as a red card. I think the game is, probably too big to say gone, but for me it’s not reckless and it’s not exceptional force. He is chasing Van Dijk. He is trying to put pressure and then he changes direction. Unfortunately his foot is on (Van Dijk’s) Achilles. You can say ‘ah, you need to be smarter, don’t do it and all that’ but so are we not allowed to have physical contact anymore? The next thing on that is if he gets three games, which I don’t understand, how can he get three games for something which is not reckless? That is absolutely wrong and we probably can’t appeal it.

“(We) responded excellently to that. Then 1-0 goal, we kept going. I think the second goal is a mistake from the ref. I think there are two hands in the back. Clear two hands in the back. I don’t understand how you can do that. Everywhere else you have seen that a thousand times out there on the pitch, someone will go up for a header, a goal kick into the centre-back, two hands in the back ‘boom’ foul. But apparently not in the penalty box. I think that was the biggest mistake in my opinion and from VAR but apparently that was not enough. We kept going.”

Liverpool boss Arne Slot admitted that fouls like the one made Simons made have not resulted in red cards against other opponents. Frank felt that referee John Brooks’ decision was harsh. He added: “That's why it's probably good Arne and I are agreeing on that one. So yeah, that's of course disappointing. I think it's harsh to say, because 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.”

Liverpool moved up to fifth in the Premier League after a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur but their title defence is over by Christmas.

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Arne Slot reiterated that Liverpool’s summer rebuild is the reason behind their fluctuating form as the Reds managed to survive an almighty scare against Tottenham Hotspur.

Liverpool had to battle to the wire to earn a 2-1 triumph over nine-man Spurs in the Premier League. After Xavi Simons’ red card in the 33rd minute, the visitors appeared they would ease to victory after goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in the second half.

Yet Richarlison reduced the deficit with eight minutes remaining. Despite Tottenham captain Cristian Romero being given his marching orders, it was Thomas Frank’s troops in the ascendancy during the dying embers of the North London encounter and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker had to make a couple of important saves.

The win moved the Reds up to fifth in the Premier League table and one points outside the Champions League qualification places. It is well below many supporters’ expectations at the beginning of the season, though, after Liverpool comfortably won the title last term.

But a significant revamp over the squad in the summer window. Seven players were signed, including Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Ekitike, for a combined fee of around £450 million, while the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Luis Diaz departing. Consequently, indifferent results and performances have ensued during the 2025-26 campaign. The Reds find themselves 10 points behind leaders Arsenal at Christmas.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Slot believes that Liverpool have been ‘as bad as some people have said’. And the Anfield head coach insisted that owners Fenway Sports Group, the firm’s CEO of football Michael Edwards and Reds sporting director Richard Hughes didn’t expect things results to be smooth.

Asked about being just outside the top four, Slot replied: "No, of course we are happy with that but when we started the season, it wasn't as though I was thrilled and completely happy with the top four. We are always aiming for the best possible and after the good start we had, we were disappointed with the run of results we had after it.

"I think you have said, we are now on equal points for the top four but we have done quite well in the Champions League with a difficult draw. I see a lot of teams that hardly have a point but we haven't faced them.

"So I think it has never been as bad as some people have said but it's also true that we are definitely not perfect yet. But we knew this when we made so many changes in the summer, it'd take time.

"Maybe because we won the first five or six games, people thought it was just go so easily but as a club, ownership, Richard, Michael, all the other people knew that change could also come with [fluctuations] different results and that has shown to be true."