An injury expert has provided an initial verdict on the issue Alexander Isak picked up during Liverpool’s hard-fought 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in north London.
The Sweden international was introduced by Arne Slot with the game still in the balance, even after Spurs were reduced to ten men following Xavi Simons’ first-half red card. Isak made an instant impact, racing onto a perfectly timed through ball from Florian Wirtz and coolly finishing past the Tottenham goalkeeper to put Liverpool ahead.
But the joy was fleeting. As Isak struck the ball, his standing leg was caught in an awkward scissor-style challenge from Micky van de Ven, who slid in desperately to try to block the shot. The collision immediately left the striker in obvious pain, leading to a prolonged stoppage while Liverpool’s medical team treated him on the pitch. After several minutes, the 26-year-old was unable to continue and had to be helped off, with Jeremie Frimpong coming on in his place.
Although Hugo Ekitike later sealed the victory — despite Richarlison pulling one back late for Spurs — concern over Isak’s condition quickly became the dominant talking point after the final whistle.
Post-match footage of the incident was analysed by injury specialists Physio Scout, who explained that scissor-type tackles are particularly dangerous because they force the ankle and knee into unnatural positions.
According to their assessment, the mechanism of the challenge raises the possibility of a high or medial ankle sprain, caused by forced rotation and eversion of the ankle. They also pointed to the fibula as a potential area of concern due to the direct impact involved.
Physio Scout noted that such challenges can also place strain on the knee, especially the medial collateral ligament (MCL), while damage to the ACL is possible but considered less likely.
Given the range of injuries associated with this type of impact, Isak could be facing a significant period on the sidelines. High ankle sprains typically require eight to ten weeks of recovery, while medial ankle sprains can take between two and six weeks. If the MCL is affected, the absence could extend from a couple of weeks to as long as three months, depending on the severity.
Physio Scout suggested a high ankle sprain as the most likely diagnosis, which would likely rule Isak out for a minimum of two months. Such an outcome would be a major blow for the forward, who has already battled fitness problems since his summer move to Anfield and is still striving for consistency.
Liverpool will now wait for further medical tests to determine the full extent of the injury. Speaking after the match, Slot admitted he had little concrete information but conceded the signs were worrying.
“I don’t have any update on him yet,” Slot said. “But when a player scores and then can’t return to the pitch or even try to come back on, that’s usually not a good sign. It’s just a feeling, not a medical opinion, because I haven’t spoken to him yet.”
Further assessments in the coming days will provide clarity on how long Liverpool may be without their striker, as fans anxiously await news from the club’s medical staff.
