Alexander Isak Faces Potential Multi-Game Absence as Arne Slot's Injury Warning Looms Large

What began as a triumphant moment swiftly transformed into anguish for Alexander Isak at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

After being introduced from the substitutes' bench during the interval, Isak netted Liverpool's first goal in their 2-1 triumph against Tottenham Hotspur, but rather than celebrating with the away supporters, the Premier League record acquisition collapsed in pain on the ground.

Isak's limb became caught beneath Micky van de Ven after the Dutch defender's desperate attempt to prevent the strike, and it was instantly apparent that the Liverpool striker was experiencing severe pain. Assisted by the medical team, he limped from the field, wincing throughout his exit.

Regrettably for both Isak and Liverpool, the 26-year-old has sustained a broken fibula and ankle injury, meaning he won't have the chance to capitalize on what was only his third strike for the Reds in all competitions for an extended period.

When Will Isak Return From Injury?

Medical imaging revealed the Swedish striker fractured his left fibula—though the injury could have been significantly more severe. He also sustained ankle damage, but there's been no confirmation regarding ligament involvement.

Predictably, such an injury will keep Isak out for months rather than weeks, though providing a precise timeline proves challenging—Arne Slot remains optimistic it will be a "couple of months," which would actually constitute a remarkably swift recovery considering the circumstances.

This marks another injury blow for Isak at Liverpool, as the striker has already been absent for seven matches across club and international duty this season. Poor physical condition led to a sluggish beginning on Merseyside following his transfer from Newcastle United, while a groin problem sidelined him for several weeks between late October and early November.

Which Liverpool Games Will Isak Miss Through Injury?

Predicting exactly how many fixtures Isak will miss due to his recent injury proves challenging, but should he remain sidelined for two months as Slot anticipates, he's unlikely to feature until early March.

This scenario would see Isak absent for between 14 and 17 matches for Liverpool—the higher figure applies if the Reds enter the Champions League knockout play-offs and progress to the FA Cup fourth round.

During this period, Isak would miss several crucial fixtures. Liverpool's remaining Champions League group stage encounters against Marseille (A) and Qarabağ (H) would occur without him, alongside vital Premier League encounters with Arsenal (A), Manchester City (H), and a return fixture against Newcastle (H) at January's end.

Fortunately for Liverpool, Hugo Ekitiké has been scoring prolifically, but an injury to the French striker would create a crisis with no other natural center-forward options available. Federico Chiesa, Cody Gakpo, and Mohamed Salah—the latter currently competing in the Africa Cup of Nations—represent unconventional alternatives.

The Liverpool Matches Alexander Isak Could Miss

*Fixtures will only occur if Liverpool advance to the Champions League knockout phase play-offs and FA Cup fourth round.