Liverpool’s Alexander Isak undergoes surgery for leg fracture
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak underwent a successful surgical procedure on Monday to repair a fractured left leg, an injury that could sideline the forward for several months, reports BritPanorama.
The 26-year-old Swedish international sustained the injury during Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Tottenham, leaving the pitch after scoring his second Premier League goal for the club. Medical staff performed the operation to realign the bone, marking a significant setback for Liverpool, who paid a British record £125 million to sign Isak from Newcastle on transfer deadline day in September.
An MRI scan conducted on Sunday confirmed the fracture to Isak’s lower leg. Thankfully, doctors determined that he had not torn his anterior cruciate ligament, which would have ended his season prematurely. However, the injury required surgical intervention on Monday.
The club has not set a definitive timeline for Isak’s return, but recovery from such an injury typically necessitates at least 12 weeks of rehabilitation. This suggests that the March international break may be the earliest feasible comeback date for Isak. His injury is the most serious to date in what has been a challenging beginning to his Liverpool career since arriving from Newcastle.
The incident occurred following a robust challenge from Tottenham defender Mickey Van de Ven, just moments after Isak had scored. Liverpool now faces a significant shortage of attacking options, particularly with Mohamed Salah currently representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Head coach Arne Slot is left with Hugo Ekitike as the only fit central striker, amplifying concerns about the squad’s depth.
Speaking after the match against Tottenham, Slot commented on the severity of Isak’s situation. “We’ll have to wait and see,” he expressed. “But if a player scores and then gets injured and doesn’t try to come back on the pitch, that’s usually not a good thing.”
The club has underscored its commitment to Isak’s long-term health, prioritizing his complete recovery over an immediate return to action. How swiftly Liverpool can adapt to their changing fortunes will unfold in the coming weeks, a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, where sometimes even the brightest prospects must endure unexpected setbacks.
