Liverpool fear Alexander Isak has fractured his left leg amid growing concern that he will face a lengthy period on the sidelines.
The club are waiting for the results of MRI scans before confirming the extent of the £125million British-record signing’s injury, but the mood is gloomy.
Isak, 26, was injured by a challenge from Micky van de Ven while in the process of scoring the opening goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Isak injured his leg after Van de Ven’s last-ditch attempt to block his shot
IAN WALTON/AP
The striker’s leg became sandwiched in between Van de Ven’s legs as the defender made a desperate lunge in an attempt to prevent the 56th-minute strike. There was some surprise among Liverpool staff that the challenge went without censure during a game in which the referee, John Brooks, showed red cards to Tottenham’s Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero.
Isak was in considerable pain and required lengthy treatment. He was helped off the pitch, but remained in obvious discomfort.
It is understood that Isak’s lower leg has been affected by the tackle and if Liverpool’s worst fears are confirmed he could be out for months.
Jonathan Northcroft’s match report
Isak has endured a difficult settling-in period since his record-breaking move from Newcastle United on transfer deadline day. He has already missed the best part of a month with a groin injury and has struggled to make an impression in matches.
However, his goal on Saturday, his second in the Premier League this season, was the first time he had received an assist from Florian Wirtz, who also joined in the summer, for £116million, and the Liverpool head coach, Arne Slot, had been hoping their understanding would develop further.
That now feels unlikely and places further pressure on Slot’s squad, with Conor Bradley also sustaining an injury at Tottenham. Dominik Szoboszlai was shown a yellow card, meaning he will be suspended for the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers next Saturday.
Mohamed Salah has joined Egypt for their Africa Cup of Nations campaign, while Cody Gakpo and Wataru Endo are missing through injury. Giovanni Leoni is a long-term absentee after suffering an ACL knee injury on his debut in September.