Alexander Isak’s Liverpool campaign may have been derailed by a fractured fibula, but it has not necessarily been ended. Despite the severity of the injury, Reds head coach Arne Slot has offered a degree of optimism regarding the club’s record signing, suggesting the Swedish striker is still expected to feature again before the conclusion of the 2025–26 Premier League season. Having invested £125 million in the forward, Slot is confident Liverpool will see their marquee arrival back on the pitch once more this term.
A difficult start to life at Anfield for Isak
Isak’s debut season at Liverpool has been far from straightforward. His move to Anfield followed a drawn-out transfer saga that eventually saw him leave Newcastle United and complete a high-profile switch to Merseyside. However, the circumstances surrounding his arrival meant he joined with limited pre-season preparation, leaving him short of match fitness.
As a result, Liverpool’s coaching staff was forced to manage his integration carefully. It took time for Isak to reach the physical level required to thrive in the Premier League, and just as he appeared to be finding rhythm and sharpness, misfortune struck. The 26-year-old came off the bench during Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham and made an immediate impact by scoring the opening goal. Yet within 15 minutes of entering the contest, he was limping heavily and required medical attention.
Slot reacts to ‘reckless’ challenge and injury setback
Isak’s goal against Spurs was overshadowed by a forceful challenge from Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven, which Slot later described as reckless. The Liverpool manager expressed frustration while addressing the media, contrasting the incident with a separate challenge earlier in the match that he felt posed far less risk.
Slot made it clear that, in his view, the tackle carried a danger of injury, stating that repeated challenges of that nature could frequently result in long-term damage. He confirmed that Isak would be sidelined for several months, describing the setback as a major disappointment both for the player and the club.
Tottenham’s discipline issues compounded the controversy, as the London side was reduced to nine men. Xavi Simons was dismissed after catching Virgil van Dijk with studs to the calf, while captain Cristian Romero later received a red card following heated exchanges with the referee. Slot also suggested that Van de Ven may have been fortunate to escape punishment for his challenge on Isak, believing there was little chance the defender could have played the ball safely.
The striker has since undergone surgery to address an ankle issue alongside the fibula fracture, ruling him out for a significant portion of the winter period.
Slot confident Isak will return before the season’s end
Despite the setback, Slot remains convinced that Isak’s campaign is not finished. While the striker is set to miss Liverpool’s upcoming clash with Wolves and several fixtures early in 2026, the manager believes he will return in time to contribute later in the season.
Slot acknowledged that Isak has endured a particularly challenging period since arriving in England, explaining that the lack of a full pre-season made it extremely difficult for him to showcase his qualities immediately. According to the Liverpool boss, competing in the Premier League without consistent high-level training places enormous physical demands on players, and it was always expected that Isak would need time to adapt.
He stressed that the club always anticipated a gradual process, especially given Liverpool’s congested schedule, which left little opportunity for extended training sessions. That reality made the injury especially cruel, as Isak had begun to show signs of returning to the level he demonstrated during his prolific spell at Newcastle.
Slot pointed to goals against West Ham and Tottenham as evidence that the striker was edging closer to peak form, underlining why the injury came at such an unfortunate moment.
Liverpool’s wider injury concerns and Isak’s numbers
Isak’s absence adds to Liverpool’s growing list of concerns. Mohamed Salah is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt, Dominik Szoboszlai faces suspension, and both Conor Bradley and Cody Gakpo remain doubts for upcoming fixtures.
Before his injury, Isak had managed three goals in 16 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool. While that return falls short of expectations for a record signing, his previous form at Newcastle—where he scored 52 goals across two seasons—was the primary reason the Reds invested so heavily.
Isak will now focus on recovery, with hopes of returning in time to play a meaningful role in Liverpool’s push for domestic and European success later in the campaign.