Isak Ruled Out For Months – Slot

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed that Alexander Isak is set to be out of action for a couple of months after breaking his leg against Tottenham.

The Swedish forward suffered the injury during the 2-1 victory over Tottenham when his foot got caught between Micky van de Ven’s legs as the defender dived to block his shot.

Liverpool confirmed on Monday night that he has undergone surgery on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture.

However, the club did not state the duration of his absence.

Arne Slot said on Tuesday that Isak is expected to be out of action for a couple of months, while also describing the tackle as reckless.

He said: “It’s going to be a long injury for a couple of months. That’s a big disappointment for him and as a result, also for us.

“The tackle of (Micky) Van de Ven, if you make a tackle like that 10 times, 10 times there is a chance the player gets a serious injury.”

Slot admitted that Isak has struggled to impress at Liverpool since his big money move from Newcastle United in the summer.

He said: “It’s been a really challenging and difficult period for him, I think.

“You join a new club, usually when you join a new club – he was very excited of course as well – but you want to show immediately all the qualities you have, but that was simply impossible.

“Maybe no-one understands, but if you haven’t trained for three or four months on a serious level with the team, and you are playing in this league, you’re not playing in, I don’t know where, but in this league, you need to be on top of your game to impact a game of football.

“And that took, which we all knew, months before we could bring him in there, because there was no breathing, there were games, games, games. No time, hardly any time to train.”

The Dutch manager backed Hugo Ekitike to fill in the gap for Isak ahead of the busy schedule.

Slot said: “He (Ekitike) still needs to get stronger, but he already became stronger.

“I don’t think he changed a lot in his offensive qualities – he’s fast, he can score a goal, he has great footwork and dribbling skills.

“He has a lot in his locker. He’s adjusted to the Premier League now and he has to make sure with his physique, with how fast he is, he can become physically outstanding and that’s what he’s working on.”

Isak was sidelined for five games from October to November with a groin injury, and his latest injury is a big blow for Liverpool.

Liverpool will be back in Premier League action against Wolves on Saturday at Anfield.

The defending champions currently occupy the fifth position with 29 points from 17 matches.