The key Liverpool games that Alexander Isak is expected to miss after new injury update
Liverpool will have to cope without Alexander Isak for around three months after he suffered a suspected broken leg.
Micky van de Ven‘s sliding challenge on Saturday left Isak in a heap, moments after he had opened the scoring in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Tottenham.
The Swede’s attention instantly turned to his leg, and he was forced off after receiving medical treatment.
Arne Slot was concerned with the injury, but was hesitant to make any judgment before the striker underwent scans.
However, it has now been reported by David Ornstein that scans are set to confirm fears that Isak will miss three months of action with a fracture to the left side of his leg.
What games will Alexander Isak miss for Liverpool?
With Isak expected to miss around three months of action, the striker will miss a number of key games.
The start of January will see Liverpool travel to take on Arsenal, in a key match that could prove pivotal for the Gunners’ title hopes.
| Key Liverpool fixtures that Alexander Isak will miss | Date |
| Arsenal (A) | 8 Jan |
| Marseille (A) | 21 Jan |
| Bournemouth (A) | 24 Jan |
| Qarabag FK (H) | 28 Jan |
| Newcastle United (H) | 31 Jan |
| Manchester City (H) | 8 Feb |
| Sunderland (A) | 11 Feb |
| Nottingham Forest (A) | 21 Feb |
Isak will also miss the Reds’ last two Champions League league stage games, which are set to be important for Slot‘s side.
Liverpool currently sit just outside the top eight, with the Dutchman surely hoping to avoid the two extra play-off games that would come with a ninth-24th place finish.
A trip to Bournemouth will arrive at the end of January, quickly followed in the Premier League by clashes with Newcastle United and Manchester City at Anfield.
Sunderland and Nottingham Forest could also represent potential banana skins for the Reds, who could, ironically, finally have Isak back for the visit of Tottenham in the middle of March.
Arne Slot will be finally forced to use the star he has ignored
Liverpool have left down to the bare bones in attack following the injury to Isak. Mohamed Salah has travelled to the Africa Cup of Nations, and Cody Gakpo is recovering from a minor injury of his own.
Rio Ngumoha was a prevalent part of Liverpool’s early season, but the winger has featured in just 12 minutes of the last eight Premier League games.
While Hugo Ekitike will certainly start through the middle, Slot will now face the need to finally utilise Federico Chiesa.
The Italy international scored from the bench in Liverpool’s opening game of this season, and starred from the bench against Crystal Palace in September, too.
His starts have been limited to the Carabao Cup, where he earned two assists against Southampton in the third round.
But despite his promising performances, Slot is still yet to hand Chiesa a single start in the Premier League this season.
Until now, it seems, with the Dutchman rapidly running out of alternatives.