The injury occurred in late December 2025 during a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, specifically while Isak was in the process of scoring. He was caught in a heavy challenge by Spurs defender Micky van de Ven, which caused his studs to catch in the turf.
Injury Breakdown & Recovery Timeline
Key Updates from Arne Slot
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that while the injury is “long-term,” he expects Isak to play again before the 2025-26 season concludes.
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The Replacement Crisis: Isak’s absence has been compounded by Mohamed Salah being away at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and a recent hamstring scare for Hugo Ekitike.
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Tactical Shift: With the primary strikers unavailable, Slot has recently utilized Cody Gakpo in the “No. 9” role to lead the line.
Context of the Injury
The injury is a major blow for both player and club, as Isak had just begun to find his form, scoring in the match he was injured. Fans and pundits have debated the severity of the challenge by Van de Ven, which went unpunished by the referee and VAR during the match, despite it resulting in a surgery-requiring fracture.
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