Liverpool’s title defense has been dealt a massive blow after the club confirmed on Tuesday, December 23, that record signing Alexander Isak has undergone surgery on a fractured left leg.
The 26-year-old Swedish international sustained the injury during the Reds’ 2–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, in a “cruel” sequence of events that saw him score his third goal for the club and suffer a season-altering injury simultaneously.
The club’s medical staff confirmed that Isak successfully underwent an operation on Monday to repair an ankle injury that included a fractured fibula. While Liverpool have avoided a more catastrophic ACL tear, the striker is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of three to four months.
“Alexander Isak today successfully underwent surgery on the injury he sustained on Saturday. After diagnosis, an operation was completed on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture. Isak’s rehabilitation will now continue at the AXA Training Centre,” the club’s official statement read.
The Incident: A Bitter-Sweet Moment
Isak, who had entered the game as a second-half substitute to provide a fresh attacking spark, found the back of the net in the 55th minute with a clinical finish. However, as he struck the ball, Spurs defender Micky van de Ven slid in with a heavy challenge. While Van de Ven was attempting to block the shot, his follow-through caught Isak’s planted leg, causing the Swede’s ankle to buckle and the fibula to snap.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher described the incident as “horrific luck” but defended the tackle:
“I’ve put myself in Van de Ven’s position; he’s trying to block the shot. It’s just the follow-through. It’s a huge blow because Liverpool were already one attacker short.”
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