Alexander Isak’s first season at Liverpool is threatening to turn into a disaster. The latest chapter: the expected fracture and the feared long break. This may now lead to an unexpected opportunity for a duo.
Whether Liverpool FC paid too much for Alexander Isak this summer will probably only be conclusively assessed in a few years’ time. If we only consider the current season, the most expensive player in Premier League history is a bad buy, the likes of which the league has rarely seen.
In the first few months, Isak was in such poor physical condition after his prolonged strike in the summer that coach Arne Slot could only use him sporadically. And when he did play, he was only a poor imitation of the formidable striker we knew from Newcastle United.
And now that the Swede has gradually made up for his physical deficit, he is out of action for a long time. When he came off the bench to score the opening goal in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur—his second league goal for Liverpool—he was tackled so badly by Micky van de Ven that he was unable to continue playing.
And the Reds’ fears that Isak had suffered a fracture in his left leg and could be out for months were confirmed. Late on Monday evening, the diagnosis followed: ankle injury including a fracture of the left fibula and the necessary and already performed surgery.
It came as a shock to both the club and the player. Even though the former Dortmund player is not yet the game-changer he is destined to become, this is a serious blow to coach Slot’s plans – and at the same time an unexpected opportunity for a duo.
Mohamed Salah could suddenly be needed again.
The striker, currently at the Africa Cup of Nations, had put himself on the sidelines with his public outburst of frustration, but he is likely to be in demand again at Slot after Isak’s diagnosis. Although the Reds are already looking for a replacement, Salah is likely to be in demand again at Slot after Isak’s diagnosis. Although the Reds are already looking for a replacement, Salah is likely to be in demand again at Slot after Isak’s diagnosis. Although the striker, currently at the Africa Cup of Nations, had put himself on the sidelines with his public outburst of frustration, he is likely to be in demand again at Slot after Isak’s diagnosis. Although the Reds are already looking for a replacement, Salah is likely to be in demand again at Slot after Isak’s diagnosis. Although the striker, currently at the Africa Cup of Nations, had put himself on the sidelines with his public outburst of frustration, he is likely to be in demand again at Slot after Isak’s diagnosis. Although the Reds are already looking for a replacement, Salah is likely to
The striker, currently at the Africa Cup of Nations, had sidelined himself with his public outburst of frustration, but is likely to be in demand again at Slot following Isak’s diagnosis. Although the Reds are not considering selling the Egyptian in the winter transfer window, he is likely to be interested in a future at Anfield only if he is not permanently relegated to the role of substitute.
And with Isak out of action and undergoing rehabilitation at Liverpool’s training center (the Reds have not specified how long he will be out), someone who had almost been forgotten is suddenly being linked with the Reds again: Harvey Elliott, who, after an outstanding U21 European Championship, was determined to become an established Premier League player and was loaned to Aston Villa with an obligation to buy. However, he is so little in demand there under Unai Emery that the aforementioned purchase obligation has not been an issue so far – according to The Athletic, the 22-year-old offensive player would have to play ten times for that to happen. So far, Elliott has only played three times in the league for the third-placed team, most recently in September. In recent weeks, he has not even been part of the squad.
Now there is speculation that Elliott could extend his options instead. Villa would certainly not be averse to an early departure, and neither would Elliott. Especially since there is no other way out for him: because he played for Liverpool at the start of the season, he will not be allowed to play for any other club in 2025/26.
