LiverpoolWorld

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

Sign up to The LFC Bulletin with Will Rooney

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

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.

Sign up to The LFC Bulletin with Will Rooney

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

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

Sign up to The LFC Bulletin with Will Rooney

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

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.

Sign up to The LFC Bulletin with Will Rooney

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

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.

Sign up to The LFC Bulletin with Will Rooney

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

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."

Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in North London on Saturday night, as the hosts finished the game with nine men

Sign up to The LFC Bulletin with Will Rooney

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1in North London in their latest Premier League outing - but the victory was far from straightforward as the Reds threatened to throw away another two-goal lead.

The Reds were cruising at 2-0 up after goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike as Spurs had been reduced to 10 men midway through the first half after Xavi Simons was sent off for a rash challenge on Virgil van Dijk.

The incident was subject to a recommendation from VAR, with referee John Brooks announcing: “After review, the Tottenham No.7, with studs, catches the Liverpool player [No.4] on the calf high - it's an act of serious foul play. My final decision is red card.”

With Liverpool 2-0 up and with a man advantage, they conceded to ex-Everton man Richarlison after his introduction. Spurs then pressed for an equaliser and had Liverpool under pressure. The pressure was eased on the visitors when Cristian Romero was sent off for a second yellow card after kicking out at Ibrahima Konate.

VAR missed a third red card for Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs were fortunate not to have been shown a third red card during the game, with Richarlison grabbing Hugo Ekitike by the back of the neck after scoring his goal.

The Liverpool striker was face down on the floor with Richarlison grabbing the back of his neck and pushing down. There is precedent for red card in these circumstances, with Manchester United midfielder Casemiro sent off for a throat grab against Crystal Palace previously. Richarlison did not grab Ekitike by the throat but by the back of the neck but there was no call for the action from the Spurs man.

FA rules on violent conduct state: “A player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible.”

Richarlison did make deliberate contact with Ekitike off the ball but escaped any punishment. It could quite easily have been classed a red card within the rules of the game.

Speaking after the game, Ekitike was pleased with the three points.

He said: "It wasn't our best game, a difficult game, but we had the control. It was difficult in the last part of the second half because they pushed and they scored. We kept the result and we go back to Liverpool with the win, that is the most important thing.

"It is never easier [to play against ten]. They play at home, the fans push them and they have more energy, more than at the start. That makes it more difficult, so you have to play smart and to fight for every ball.

"The best feeling as a striker. You need goals. The most important is the win and to play with confidence, and obviously if I can help with goals. The first goal I helped with the pass before the assist, so I try to help the team the best as I can and that's the most important."

Liverpool injury update on Alexander Isak and Conor Bradley after the 2-1 win over Tottenham.

Sign up to The LFC Bulletin with Will Rooney

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Arne Slot has provided an injury update on Alexander Isak after Liverpool’s victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

The Reds survived a late flurry to earn a 2-1 win over nine-man Spurs in North London. Xavi Simons’ red card in the first half gave Liverpool a huge advantage and Isak, who had come on at half-time, put the visitors ahead with a clinical finish in the 56th minute.

However, when scoring, he was clattered by Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven. Isak could not celebrate his second Premier League goal since his £125 million transfer from Newcastle United and had to be withdrawn after several minutes of treatment.

Speaking on Isak’s injury, head coach Slot said: “I don't have any news on him but if a player scores, gets injured and doesn't come back on the pitch or doesn't try to come back, which Conor Bradley, for example did but I had to take him off and couldn't come on.

“But if a player doesn't try to come back it is usually not a good thing but I cannot say anything more than that. That is just a gut feeling and nothing more than that, nothing medical to say about it. I haven't spoken to him about it yet but it's a good thing he scored, a good goal assisted by Florian Wirtz.

“I said players are getting better, the team is getting bette. It wasn't perfect today, especially the last 10 minutes but we pick up points and are developing in a way I want to see. That's what we'd like to see happening a lot. A good finish, a good pass. Let's not be too negative yet. We don't know yet, let's hope he is back with us soon but it is difficult to say to you.”

Isak had come on in the place of Conor Bradley. The right-back also had to receive treatment in the first half after a coming together with Djed Spence. Bradley was able to continue until the interval.

“With Alex and Connor, we have to wait,” added Slot. “You could see our bench today but this is not for the first time in the last few weeks we are picking up points. We are not the only team in this period picking up injuries in England because we play so many games. This is quite normal, teams have injuries at this moment in time.”

Liverpool doubled their advantage in the 66th minute when Hugo Ekitike headed home. But despite Spurs having one player fewer, they set up a nervy finish when Richarlison netted with eight minutes remaining. Spurs then had another man sent off as Cristian Romero received a second yellow card but that did not stop the home side from pushing for an equaliser and Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker was called into action several times to ensure his side claimed all three points.

In addition, Dominik Szoboszlai picked up his fifth yellow card of the Premier League season. It means that the Hungary international, who dropped to right-back from midfield after Bradley’s withdrawal, will miss Liverpool’s clash against Wolves on Saturday 27 December.

Liverpool survived a late flurry as they held out to deliver a 2-1 victory over nine-man Tottenham Hotspur in North London.

Spurs forward Xavi Simons’ red card in the first half gave the Reds a significant advantage, with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike netting after the break for Arne Slot’s side. But Richarlison’s goal for the home side gave them hope aplenty and despite seeing Cristian Romero dismissed for a second booking, Thomas Frank’s side continued to rally but Liverpool held out.

The opening stages of the first half were cagey, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. Virgil van Dijk had a header easily saved for Liverpool in the 13th minute, with Randal Kolo Muani having a tame effort of his own kept out by visiting goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

But the game markedly swung in the Reds’ favour in the 33rd minute when Spurs were reduced to 10 men. Xavi Simons had initially been issued a yellow card for a late challenge on Van Dijk. However, after a VAR review, on-field referee John Brooks overturned his original decision and gave Simons his marching orders.

However, Liverpool could not profit from their numerical advantage before the break The closest they went was Florian Wirtz’s shot was well saved by Tottenham keeper Gugielmo Vicario.

The Reds did punish Spurs after the interval, though, with their £225 million duo combining. Wirtz slipped in Isak, who produced a fine first-time finish. That was to be Isak’s last involvement, having only come on at half-time, as he was clattered by Micky van de Ven.

Then on 66 minutes, Slot’s side doubled their lead when Ekitike headed home Jeremie Frimpong’s cross - and it really should have been game over. Yet the Reds left the door ajar and Spurs made them pay. Liverpool’s vulnerabilities from set-pieces was again exposed when they failed to deal with several phases of a free-kick and Richarlison lashed home with eight minutes remaining.

That set up a nervy ending for the Reds and even though Romero was issued a second yellow card, Tottenham kept on probing with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker making a couple of big saves. There was relief when the full-time whistle went and Spurs will undoubtedly feel harshly done by. But Liverpool managed to see out the game for all three points and move up to fifth in the Premier League table.

Liverpool player ratings vs Tottenham.

Alexander Isak and Conor Bradley injury update as pair forced off for Liverpool against Spurs.

Sign up to The LFC Bulletin with Will Rooney

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Alexander Isak was forced off in Liverpool’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur - after giving the Reds the lead.

Isak was introduced at half-time, replacing Conor Bradley. With Spur having Xavi Simons sent-off in the opening period for serious foul play, Isak put Liverpool ahead with a clinical finish in the 56th minute. He was slipped in by Florian Wirtz before firing home.

However, after shooting and netting his second Premier League goal since his £125 million arrival from Newcastle United, Isak was clattered by Spurs defender Micky van de Ven. The Sweden international could not celebrate his strike and required several minutes of treatment before having to be replaced by Jeremie Frimpong. Isak did not need a stretcher but was assisted off the pitch by two members of Liverpool’s medical staff.

In addition, Bradley may well have sustained a problem. He required treatment in the first half after a coming together with Djed Spence. Bradley was able to continue until the break before coming off for Isak.

Reds boss Slot will provide an update on the pair at full-time. Liverpool next face Wolves on Saturday 27 December at Anfield before hosting Leeds United on Thursday 1 January.

Liverpool team confirmed to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Sign up to The LFC Bulletin with Will Rooney

Sign up

Thank you for signing up!

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LiverpoolWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Submitting...

Liverpool have made just one change as they face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

The Reds aim to stretch their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions in North London. And from last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, head coach Arne Slot unsurprisingly largely keeps the same team.

The only switch to the starting XI is that Conor Bradley returns after serving a one-match suspension. He replaces Joe Gomez, who is sidelined through injury. Dominik Szoboszlai, who was forced off in the closing stages of the Brighton game, is able to feature from the outset.

Hugo Ekitike, who fired a double against Brighton - and in the 3-3 draw at Leeds in the previous league game - continues to spearhead the attack over £125 million British record signing Alexander Isak.

Mo Salah is absent from the Liverpool squad as he represents Egypt at the African Cup of Nations. Salah could potentially miss seven matches should Egypt reach the final of the competition.

Cody Gakpo (muscle), Wataru Endo (ankle) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) are missing because of respective injury issues.

However, Jeremie Frimpong returns to the bench after a two-month lay-off because of a hamstring problem. Meanwhile, Trey Nyoni, Calvin Ramsay and Wellity Lucky are included among the substitutes.

Liverpool: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Ekitike.