Arne Slot confirms Alexander Isak return date after Liverpool suffer major injury blow
Liverpool confirmed in a statement that Alexander Isak has undergone surgery on a broken leg and now Arne Slot has revealed when their £125million signing is expected to return
by Nathan Ridley · The MirrorLiverpool boss Arne Slot has confirmed that Alexander Isak will be out for a 'couple of months' after breaking his leg. Isak, 26, was on the end of what Slot described as a 'reckless' challenge from Tottenham's Micky van de Ven just after scoring the opening goal in Liverpool's 2-1 win away to 10-man Spurs on Saturday.
The Reds issued a statement on Monday night, confirming that their £125million signing had suffered a fracture in his left leg and has undergone surgery. Slot expects Isak to be back in the spring and believes that he can still play a key role in their season.
"It's going to be a long injury. A couple of months," the Liverpool manager told a press conference. "That's a big, big big disappointment for him and also for us."
Slot went on to say of Isak, who's only scored three goals since leaving Newcastle in September: "I'm confident he can (play a part in back end of season). It's been a really challenging and difficult period for him.
"You join a new club, he was very excited and you want to show immediately your qualities but that was simply impossible. If you haven't trained for two or three months at serious level, in this league you have to be on top of your game to impact a game of football.
"We knew it would take months. We knew it could take him time, that's why he's so unlucky he's now injured as we all saw with his goals versus West Ham and Tottenham he got closer to the player and player he was at Newcastle."
Slot was also asked whether the injury changes his plans for January, with Liverpool having been linked with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, who's available for £65m. My only thoughts are on the upcoming two games, two difficult ones again, two home ones which is nice," the Reds boss replied.
Do Liverpool need to make any January signings? Have your say in the comments section.
"It's time for the players available to roll their sleeves up and our fasn as well to help us get the best possible results. The players who are available need to give everything they have and the fans, which they usually do. That's my focus."
Isak's national team, Sweden, will be buoyed by the return date, as they take part in the World Cup play-offs at the end of March. Graham Potter's side are due to play Ukraine before a potential final at home to Poland or Albania.
As for Liverpool, they host bottom-of-the-table Wolves on Saturday afternoon. During Isak's absence, they'll fight to reach the knockouts of the Champions League and begin their FA Cup campaign.
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