Arne Slot is confident that Alexander Isak will be able to play again this season after the Liverpool striker underwent surgery on a fractured fibula.
The Dutch head coach expects the club’s record signing to be sidelined for “a couple of months” after he was hurt by “a reckless challenge” from Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven during Saturday’s 2-1 victory.
However, there was positive news on Liverpool’s other fitness concerns with Florian Wirtz set to be fit for Saturday’s visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers following confirmation that he was only suffering from cramp after limping off late on.
Conor Bradley, who was substituted after being hurt in a collision with Djed Spence, avoided a serious injury and is rated as “50-50” for the clash with Rob Edwards’ side.
Cody Gakpo is also close to a return but Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo remain sidelined.
On Isak, Slot said: “It’s going to be a long injury — a couple of months. It’s a big disappointment for him and for us.
“For me it was a reckless challenge. If you make that tackle 10 times, I think 10 times there is a serious chance that a player gets a serious injury.”
Isak has endured a tough first campaign at Anfield following his £125million move from Newcastle United with fitness and form hampering his progress.
Slot said he was confident Isak would return this season.
Dominik Szoboszlai is suspended against Wolves after picking up his fifth booking of the season, but the possible availability of Bradley and Gakpo is a bonus.
“Conor will be 50-50. He’s not training with us today, not tomorrow, so Friday we will see exactly where he is and if he can be in the squad,” Slot said. “Cody is a bit similar to Conor.”
On Florian Wirtz, he added: “Yes (it was just cramp). Another example of a player who has to play a lot and is adjusting better and better to the Premier League. In an ideal world, I could have rested him a little bit more. But he will be there for us again on Saturday.”
Slot refused to be drawn on whether the loss of Isak would lead to the club bolstering their attacking options during the January window.
“My first and only thoughts are on the upcoming two games,” he said. “It’s a time for the players we do have available to roll their sleeves up.”
