Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Alexander Isak will be out for “a couple of months” after sustaining a serious injury during the Reds’ 2-1 Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The striker fractured his fibula following a sliding challenge by Spurs defender Micky van de Ven.
Isak, who scored in the match before being injured, underwent surgery on what Liverpool described as an ankle injury involving a fibula fracture. Slot admitted the setback was deeply frustrating, both for the player and the club, as Liverpool navigate a demanding fixture schedule.
“It’s going to be a long injury, for a couple of months,” Slot said. “It’s a big disappointment for him and, as a result, for us.” The Liverpool boss was particularly critical of Van de Ven’s challenge, branding it reckless despite no disciplinary action being taken.
Slot contrasted the incident with an earlier red card shown to Tottenham midfielder Xavi Simons, who was dismissed for a late challenge on Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman argued Simons’ tackle was unintentional and unlikely to cause serious injury.
“The tackle of Van de Ven, if you make that tackle ten times, I think ten times there is a serious chance a player gets a serious injury,” Slot added, underlining his frustration with the officials’ assessment of the incident.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank strongly disagreed with Slot’s view, defending Van de Ven as a fair and competitive defender. He insisted the challenge was a natural reaction to prevent a goal and that Isak’s planted foot worsened the outcome.
“That would be a natural reaction for any defender,” Frank said. “If my defender doesn’t do that, I don’t think they are true defenders.” He also revealed the two players had spoken after the incident, suggesting no lingering animosity.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher described Isak’s injury as a “huge blow” but defended Van de Ven’s actions. Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said it was a challenge he would have made himself in a similar situation.
“It’s just really bad luck for Isak,” Carragher noted, adding that the incident offered a glimpse of the striker’s quality in a Liverpool shirt before his untimely setback.
Liverpool now face selection challenges ahead of Saturday’s home match against Wolves. Mohamed Salah is away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Cody Gakpo remains a doubt, though he could return. Jeremie Frimpong is fit again, but Slot ruled out recalling Harvey Elliott from his loan spell at Aston Villa.
