SOCCER: Liverpool's Isak out for at least two months, says Slot

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is expected to be sidelined for at least two months after breaking his leg and undergoing surgery, manager Arne Slot said on Tuesday.

Isak sustained the injury while scoring Liverpool’s opening goal in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. His foot became trapped between the legs of defender Micky van de Ven as the Dutch center back dived in to block his shot.

The setback is a major blow for Liverpool as they try to revive their Premier League title defense.

“It’s going to be a long injury, for a couple of months. That’s a big disappointment for him and, as a result, also for us,” Slot told reporters ahead of Saturday’s home league match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Dutch manager described the challenge that led to the injury as reckless.

“If you make a tackle like that 10 times, 10 times there is a chance the player gets a serious injury,” Slot said.

Liverpool broke the British transfer record in September to sign Isak for £125 million ($168.81 million) from Newcastle United.

In the absence of the Sweden international, Liverpool will rely heavily on striker Hugo Ekitike, another new signing who has scored eight league goals since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt.

“He still needs to get stronger, but he has already become stronger,” Slot said. “I don’t think he has changed much in his attacking qualities — he’s fast, he can score goals, and he has great footwork and dribbling skills.

“He has a lot in his locker. He has adjusted to the Premier League now, and he needs to make sure that with his physique and pace, he can become physically outstanding. That’s what he’s working on.”

Players Need to Roll Up Their Sleeves

Liverpool, currently fifth in the standings, will look to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal with a win over bottom-placed Wolves, who are still searching for their first league victory of the season.

However, the Reds are dealing with a growing injury list that includes Isak, Wataru Endo, and Joe Gomez. Cody Gakpo and Conor Bradley are not fully fit, while forward Mohamed Salah is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt.

“It’s time for the players who are available to do what they’ve done many times before, which is roll their sleeves up — and for the fans as well, to help us,” Slot said.

($1 = £0.7405)

-Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India; Editing by Ed Osmond / Reuters