Injury Expert Predicts Length of Alexander Isak’s Absence

An injury expert has cast their verdict on Alexander Isak’s injury during Liverpool’s 2-1 win away from home against Tottenham Hotspur.

With both teams at an impasse despite Xavi Simons’ sending off in the first half, Arne Slot turned to the Swedish striker off the bench. He only needed minutes to make an impact, sweeping home Florian Wirtz’s through ball for the opener.

However, Isak’s standing leg was caught between Micky Van de Ven’s, as the Dutch centre-back slid in to try and block the shot. After receiving extensive treatment, he had to be helped off the pitch by Liverpool’s medical team as Jeremie Frimpong came on for him.

Watch Alexander Isak Pick Up His Injury:

Isak Predicted to Face Lengthy Spell Out

A goal from Hugo Ekitike ensured that Liverpool left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with all three points, despite Richarlison’s late strike. But all attention was understandably on Isak, with supporters, teammates and coaching staff sweating over the extent of his injury.

Expert Physio Scout has since analysed the incident, giving their thoughts on what might have happened. Stating that scissor tackles typically cause ankle sprain issues, there can also be concern over potential fibula and knee injuries due to forced torsion of the knee.

They wrote: “Scissor-tackle type mechanism typically brings concern for a high/medial ankle sprain, potentially due to forced ankle eversion and rotation. Fibula (lower leg bone) also is a common injury site due to direct contact.

“These types of tackles can also place stress on the knee structures due to forced valgus, particularly the MCL. ACL is also vulnerable, but less likely.”

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Because of the multitude of injuries that can be caused by scissor tackles like Van de Ven’s, Isak could be facing anywhere between two and 12 weeks on the sidelines. A high ankle sprain carries a recovery time of eight to 10 weeks, while a medial sprain is usually two to 6 weeks. An MCL injury, meanwhile, might be anywhere from two to 12 weeks.

They added that the most likely scenario is a high ankle sprain, which would mean the striker misses at least two months of games. Having already struggled with fitness issues since moving to Anfield in the summer, another period out of action is the last thing that the 26-year-old needs.

Check Out the Full Breakdown Below:

Slot Gives Update on Isak’s Injury

Liverpool won’t know exactly how long Isak is out for until further tests are conducted. And Slot, when pressed for an update on the striker, stated that while he had no news, the fact he didn’t try to come back onto the pitch was a bad sign.

He said at his press conference: “I don’t have any news on him. But if a player scores and then gets injured, and doesn’t come back on the pitch, doesn’t try to come back – which is what Conor Bradley tried to do for example but I had to take him off as well because he couldn’t go on.

“But if a player doesn’t even try to come back, that is usually not a good thing. But I cannot say anything more than that, it is just a gut feeling. Nothing medical to say about it. I haven’t spoken to him about it yet.”