Liverpool are on edge, eagerly awaiting news on Alexander Isak’s injury after the striker suffered a heartbreaking setback just as he seemed to be hitting his stride in a Liverpool shirt.
Arne Slot’s team were pressing intensely for the breakthrough goal against a Tottenham side reduced to ten men when the club’s two blockbuster summer arrivals finally clicked in spectacular fashion.
In the 56th minute, Cristian Romero’s sloppy pass was pounced on, enabling Florian Wirtz to drift into space and deliver an exquisite through-ball for Isak. The Swede kept his cool to slot home a precise finish and give the Reds the lead.
The strike was only Isak’s second in the Premier League following his big-money switch to Anfield, and it also marked a milestone for Wirtz, registering his first direct goal involvement in English football.
For a fleeting moment, it felt like a pivotal instant for the £225 million pair, hinting that they were at last starting to repay their enormous fees.
Joy quickly turned to worry, however. As the ball nestled in the net, Isak collapsed in evident pain after a reckless lunge from Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven. The defender mistimed his challenge completely, clipping Isak’s legs in a scissor-like motion and flooring him heavily.
Instead of joining the celebrations, Isak stayed down clutching his leg as concerned teammates surrounded him.
Medical staff dashed onto the field to treat what looked like a serious leg problem. There were real fears of a lengthy absence when it briefly seemed he might require a stretcher.
In the end, Isak hobbled off unaided but clearly in discomfort, leaning on two physios for support as he limped toward the sidelines.
His evening concluded right after scoring, with Jeremie Frimpong coming on as his replacement—meaning Isak’s lasting memory of the night could be a goal that comes at a heavy personal cost if the injury proves significant.
Commentator Gary Neville called it a cruel twist, pointing out that the goal could have been a massive boost for Isak’s confidence. Instead, the forward faces fresh doubts just as he appeared to be gaining traction.
The 25-year-old had entered the game at half-time after a lackluster opening period from both sides, and he immediately injected urgency and threat into Liverpool’s forward line.
This latest goal built on his first Premier League effort for the club—a late winner against West Ham in November—and represented just his second in all competitions since his record-breaking transfer from Newcastle.
This season, Isak has found it tough to emerge from the shadow of Hugo Ekitike, whose red-hot form continued as the Frenchman added Liverpool’s second to reach eight league goals. That leaves Isak still chasing both regular minutes and full fitness.