Isak suffers a serious injury, what will Liverpool do now?

24/12/2025 07:23:00 SportScoop

Alexander Isak fell to the Tottenham Hotspur turf, covering his face with his shirt in agony, only moments after netting Liverpool’s first goal. This instant not only concluded Isak’s game but also sparked a fresh turmoil at Anfield.

Medical tests confirmed that the Swedish forward suffered a fractured leg and needs surgery, with a recovery time extending over many months. This represents a significant setback for Liverpool both in sporting terms and future planning.

A shock that shakes the project

Isak is the most expensive signing in the club’s history and the centerpiece of the offensive restructuring plan under coach Arne Slot. His severe injury at the very start of his integration signals that all plans must be revised or even reversed.

Liverpool pursued Isak not only because of his goal-scoring ability but because they believed he was the solution to a long-standing problem: the near-total reliance on Mohamed Salah. Slot aimed to build a more varied attacking Liverpool, with Isak acting as a connecting striker, holding up play and creating space for creative midfielders like Florian Wirtz.

However, the first half of the season showed things did not go smoothly. Isak repeatedly struggled with fitness, never reaching peak form or completing a full 90 minutes. Before the Tottenham away game, he had scored only once in the Premier League and had limited starts compared to expectations for a £125 million signing.

This is why his goal against Spurs was so meaningful. It was one of the rare moments Liverpool clearly saw the attacking shape they envisioned: Isak moving intelligently, Wirtz providing creativity, and midfielders making effective forward runs. But that hopeful moment was quickly extinguished by Isak’s serious injury.

Isak’s long-term absence not only deprives Liverpool of a striker but also disrupts their tactical framework. With Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz gone, Diogo Jota deceased, and Salah no longer the focal point, Isak was supposed to be the key piece shaping the future. His extended layoff forces Liverpool to revert to temporary solutions rather than continuing the planned trajectory.

Isak’s severe injury throws Liverpool’s plans into disarray

How will Liverpool cope?

For now, Arne Slot has almost no option but to place his trust in Hugo Ekitike. The French striker is in excellent form, scoring 5 goals in his last 3 matches, becoming the de facto number one striker. Still, relying entirely on a 23-year-old to carry the goal-scoring burden is a major gamble.

Slot responded by adjusting the system. Liverpool reduced the number of forwards and increased midfielders to ensure stability and control. In the last two games, they played with five central midfielders, with Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai on the wings and only one striker upfront. This approach makes Liverpool more solid but places huge pressure on Ekitike, especially with Szoboszlai suspended for the next round.

The most straightforward solution is to buy a player in the January transfer window. Despite spending nearly £450 million in the summer, Liverpool still have funds after recouping over £200 million from sales. However, the winter market is always tough: suitable players are rare, prices high, and clubs reluctant to let go of key players.

More importantly, Liverpool don’t need a replica of Isak. When he returns, the squad will be overloaded if they sign another pure striker. Therefore, a more sensible option is a versatile attacker who can play both on the wing and up front. Antoine Semenyo, with a £65 million release clause, emerges as a tactically and age-appropriate choice.

Isak’s injury also unintentionally changes the entire narrative around Mohamed Salah. Previously, the Egyptian star’s future was uncertain after controversial comments. Now, Liverpool have almost no alternative but to keep Salah at least until the season’s end. Letting him leave in January would further weaken an already thin attack.

If no reinforcements arrive, Slot must optimize internal resources. One rare positive is Cody Gakpo’s faster-than-expected recovery, providing another attacking option. Federico Chiesa might also get more chances after impressing off the bench, though the coach remains cautious about using him in big matches.

Simultaneously, recalling Harvey Elliott from Aston Villa is under serious consideration. The 22-year-old midfielder has been largely forgotten at Villa Park and has no chance of moving to another club this season. Bringing Elliott back won’t directly solve scoring issues but will add creative depth in midfield for Liverpool.

Vu Manh

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