By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@PremierLeague.
Liverpool fear striker Alexander Isak suffered a significant leg injury, which is likely to keep him out for eight to ten weeks in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Isak came off the bench to break the deadlock for Arne Slot’s side, but was fouled by Micky van de Ven just after he got his shot away, and was ultimately unable to continue.
The 26-year-old, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in a record Premier League £125m deal in September, will undergo MRI scans on Sunday to determine the extent of the damage.
Liverpool boss Slot was asked about Isak’s condition in his post-match press conference but had little new information to provide.
“I don’t have any news on him. If a player scores and then doesn’t come back on the pitch because he couldn’t go on – because he didn’t even try and get on – that’s usually not a good thing,” said Slot.
“But I can’t say anything more than that – that is just gut feeling, nothing medical. But let’s not be too negative yet. Let’s hope he’s back with us soon.”
Liverpool are also without Mohamed Salah, who is with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, and the injured Cody Gakpo.
Fellow forward Hugo Ekitike, who joined in the summer from Eintracht Frankfurt, was also on target at Spurs and expected to continue to lead the line for the Reds.
The 23-year-old Frenchman has scored 11 times this term, with five in the last three league games a factor in Isak starting on the bench.