{"id":646226,"date":"2025-12-21T12:22:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-21T12:22:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/646226\/"},"modified":"2025-12-21T12:22:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-21T12:22:22","slug":"alexander-isak-injury-for-number-of-weeks-sees-hugo-ekitike-sent-vital-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/646226\/","title":{"rendered":"Alexander Isak injury for &#8216;number of weeks&#8217; sees Hugo Ekitike sent vital message"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Liverpool striker Alexander Isak sustained an injury after scoring Liverpool&#8217;s opening goal in the 2-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday evening, before Hugo Ekitike found the net again<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2252860932.jpg\" alt=\"Alexander Isak of Liverpool looks on during warming up prior to the Premier League match against Tottenham\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Liverpool striker Alexander Isak sustained an injury during the victory over Tottenham(Image: Photo by Alex Pantling\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Liverpool striker <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/hugo-ekitike\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Hugo EkitikeLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Hugo Ekitike<\/a> has been told he will need to step up in the coming weeks following the injury sustained by <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/alexander-isak\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Alexander IsakLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Alexander Isak<\/a> in the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/barclays-premier-league\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Premier LeagueLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Premier League<\/a> win over Tottenham on Saturday evening.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/arne-slot\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Arne Slot&#039;Link opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Arne Slot&#8217;<\/a>s side edged a narrow 2-1 victory over the north London club, with Isak initially opening the scoring at the start of the second half after the hosts were reduced to 10 men in the first. Attacking midfielder Xavi Simons was shown a straight red card after VAR intervention for a dangerous tackle on <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/virgil-van-dijk\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Virgil van DijkLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Virgil van Dijk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Despite opening the scoring for <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"LiverpoolLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Liverpool<\/a>, Isak wasn&#8217;t able to celebrate his second Premier League goal for the Reds. In the process of finding the net, Spurs defender Micky van de Ven brought him down and his ankle appeared to get trapped between the Dutchman&#8217;s legs.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/liverpool-simons-red-van-dijk-33098601\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33098601\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Liverpool handed fresh Xavi Simons red card verdicts after &#8216;ridiculous&#8217; Virgil van Dijk challenge<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Britain-Premier-League-Soccer-25354708346968.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>OPINION<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_MeeeePNG.png\" alt=\"Author avatar\"\/>Paul Gorst<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The stretcher was initially called for, but Isak was able to limp off the pitch with the help of Liverpool medical staff. The club now face an anxious wait to determine the extent of the injury, although fears of a potential ACL tear were put at ease on Saturday night, with <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/6906801\/2025\/12\/20\/alexander-isak-liverpool-injury-update\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"The AthleticLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">The Athletic<\/a> reporting the initial prognosis is a lower-leg injury, as opposed to the knee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ekitike went on to score Liverpool&#8217;s second goal of the night to make it 2-0, before Spurs substitute <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/richarlison\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"RicharlisonLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Richarlison<\/a> pulled a goal back late on. The hosts were reduced to nine men in stoppage time as Cristian Romero was sent off for kicking out at <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/ibrahima-konate\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Ibrahima KonateLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Ibrahima Konate<\/a>, and Slot&#8217;s men were just about able to cling on to their slender lead and secure all three points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Speaking on BBC&#8217;s Match of the Day after the game, pundit Shay Given admitted losing Isak for any amount of time would be a cruel blow for Liverpool.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1_JS391293717.jpg\" alt=\"Aleksander Isak was left in real pain after scoring at Tottenham\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Aleksander Isak was left in real pain after scoring at Tottenham<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">That said, he noted that it is time for Ekitike to step up in Isak&#8217;s absence, especially with <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/mohamed-salah\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Mohamed SalahLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Mohamed Salah<\/a> also set to be absent for the next few games due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;It\u2019s a big loss if Isak has gone off injured again,&#8221; Given explained. &#8220;He\u2019s had a stop-start campaign so far. But, Ekitike looks the real deal, doesn\u2019t he?<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;A brilliant striker and he\u2019ll have to step up. Obviously, Mo Salah has left as well go to the Africa Cup of Nations. Ekitike will have to stay fit as well because it\u2019s a big loss if Isak is out for a number of weeks now as well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2252231812.jpg\" alt=\"Hugo Ekitike doubled the Liverpool lead.\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Hugo Ekitike doubled the Liverpool lead.(Image: JUSTIN TALLIS \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Slot did issue a brief update on Isak post-match, admitting it never looks good when a player is unable to continue, especially after scoring a goal. &#8220;We&#8217;ll have to wait and see,&#8221; the head coach admitted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;But if a player scores and then gets injured and doesn&#8217;t try to come back on the pitch, that&#8217;s usually not a good thing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Liverpool return to action on December 27, just a couple of days after Christmas. They will host Wolves at <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/anfield\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Anfield<\/a> in a Premier League clash.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_JS391297236.jpg\" alt=\"Alexander Isak was helped from the pitch\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Alexander Isak was helped from the pitch<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Slot will have some tough selection decisions, however, in light of recent injuries. All of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/conor-bradley\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Conor BradleyLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Conor Bradley<\/a>, Jeremie Frimpong and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/florian-wirtz\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Florian WirtzLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Florian Wirtz<\/a> were forced off with issues at various points during the game.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Not only that, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/dominik-szoboszlai\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Dominik SzoboszlaiLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Dominik Szoboszlai<\/a> picked up a yellow card in the second half against Spurs, which means he will be suspended for the visit of Wolves. Then, on New Year&#8217;s Day, the Reds will prepare for another home clash, this time against Leeds United.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Liverpool striker Alexander Isak sustained an injury after scoring Liverpool&#8217;s opening goal in the 2-1 win over Tottenham&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":646227,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8815],"tags":[9261,1121,192,748,393,4884,5759,179,763,1374,10652,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-646226","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-liverpool","8":"tag-alexander-isak","9":"tag-arne-slot","10":"tag-bbc","11":"tag-britain","12":"tag-england","13":"tag-great-britain","14":"tag-hugo-ekitike","15":"tag-liverpool","16":"tag-liverpool-fc","17":"tag-liverpool-fc-injuries","18":"tag-tottenham-hotspur-fc","19":"tag-uk","20":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115757538031944047","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/646226","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=646226"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/646226\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/646227"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=646226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=646226"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=646226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}