Isak leg injury forces Liverpool to adjust attacking plans

December 23, 2025 Oliver Obel

Liverpool are preparing for an extended spell without Alexander Isak after new reporting clarified the seriousness of the forward’s injury sustained against Tottenham Hotspur, a development that complicates the club’s short-term planning in attack.

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, medical assessments have confirmed that Isak has suffered a fractured leg. The injury is expected to keep him sidelined for several months, although Liverpool have yet to release an official recovery timeline.

Isak, signed in the summer as a major addition to Arne Slot’s squad, had only just entered Sunday’s Premier League match when the incident occurred. He came on as a substitute shortly after halftime and scored Liverpool’s second goal within minutes. The strike was followed immediately by a collision with Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven, after which Isak required lengthy treatment on the pitch.

Liverpool’s medical staff eventually helped the Sweden international off the field. While he was able to walk unaided, he was visibly struggling and was replaced by Jeremie Frimpong, forcing an early reshuffle.

The club initially described the injury as serious without offering further detail. Ornstein later reported that scans revealed a leg break, effectively ruling Isak out through a demanding stretch of the season that includes domestic league fixtures and European commitments.

His absence leaves Hugo Ekitike as Liverpool’s only recognised centre-forward. The French international has settled quickly since his arrival and is expected to shoulder a heavier workload as fixtures accumulate over the coming weeks.

However, the lack of depth through the middle reduces Slot’s tactical flexibility. Any further injuries in forward areas could prompt positional adjustments or accelerate internal discussions ahead of the January transfer window.

Liverpool are expected to provide a formal medical update once further evaluations are completed. In the meantime, Slot must plan for upcoming matches without one of his most significant summer signings, beginning with a congested run that will test the squad’s resilience.

Sources: The Athletic, Reuters