Liverpool’s Alexander Isak has spoken out following a disappointing injury during the Reds’ victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The Swedish international suffered a fractured leg after a tackle from Spurs’ Micky van de Ven, resulting in surgery for an “ankle injury that included a fibula fracture.”
Despite scoring for Liverpool after coming on as a substitute, the 26-year-old had to be removed shortly after due to the injury. Clearly in pain, Isak now faces a period of recovery away from the pitch. In an Instagram story, he said: “Gutted to be out for a while. Time to recover and support from the sideline. I will work hard to be back as soon as I possibly can. Thank you all reds and everyone else for the kind messages, it does not go unnoticed [red heart emoji] #YNWA.”
Since transferring from Newcastle United to Anfield, Isak has had a challenging time, missing pre-season with a minor thigh injury and pushing for a move away from Eddie Howe’s team. With only two goals and one assist in 10 Premier League games this season, plus another goal in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton, Isak has yet to score in the Champions League.
The British record signing has been plagued with fitness issues, and this is yet another significant setback. Former Reds defender Jamie Carragher discussed his misfortune on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
“It’s a huge blow because I think Liverpool were actually one attacker short anyway,” Carragher said. “There’s a lot been made about a lot of the challenges in the game from Tottenham players and a lot of them weren’t clever. I put myself in Van de Ven’s position and that’s a challenge I’d probably make.
“He’s trying to block it – it’s just the follow through. I don’t know where else anyone thinks his foot’s going to go. He has to make that challenge. You can’t let the striker just get a shot away in that situation.
“It’s just really bad luck for Isak. It’s probably one of the first glimpses we’ve seen of his real quality in a Liverpool shirt.”