Liverpool F.C. could soon receive a significant boost in attack after a fresh update on the long injury layoff of Alexander Isak.
The Swedish striker has hardly played since suffering a serious ankle injury earlier in the campaign, which included a fractured fibula and required surgery during the winter. Despite the severity of the setback, there are now positive signs that he is getting closer to returning.
According to Paul Joyce of The Times, the 26-year-old is approaching the final stage of his rehabilitation and could be back in action soon after the upcoming international break. Joyce explained that although the striker will still miss Sunday’s meeting at Anfield, he is close to completing his recovery from the ankle problem and should return once the international fixtures are over.
For Liverpool fans, that timeline provides hope that one of the club’s key summer signings could soon be available during the decisive final stretch of the season.
Isak’s absence has affected Liverpool’s attack
The former Newcastle United F.C. forward’s injury has quietly limited Liverpool’s attacking options this season. Joyce’s report notes that the £125m signing has played only 781 minutes across 16 appearances since arriving at Anfield.
Before the injury, however, there were clear signs the Swede was beginning to find his rhythm. Joyce pointed to the moment things changed during Liverpool’s away win against Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the season.
After providing an assist for a teammate, Isak was left on the ground in visible pain following a heavy challenge from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven. That incident ultimately resulted in the injury that has kept him out for months.
Liverpool still waiting to see Isak’s full impact
Because of his long recovery, supporters have rarely seen the attacking lineup Liverpool heavily invested in last summer.
One statistic from Joyce’s report highlights this clearly: the combination of Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai have only been on the pitch together once — for just 15 minutes in that same away match against Tottenham earlier in the campaign.
As Liverpool prepare to face a Spurs side dealing with several injuries on Sunday, the memory of that match offers a glimpse of what the team might have looked like if injuries had not disrupted their plans.
Head coach Arne Slot recently confirmed that the Swedish forward is still working with the rehabilitation team rather than training fully with the main squad, meaning his comeback will be managed carefully.
As a result, Liverpool may still need to be patient before seeing the full impact of their £125m striker — something many supporters believe could significantly strengthen the team’s attacking threat in the final months of the season.
