Liverpool's crucial 2-1 Premier League triumph over Tottenham Hotspur was overshadowed by a significant injury concern for star forward Alexander Isak, prompting calls for teammate Hugo Ekitike to seize his opportunity.
Victory Marred by Key Injury Blow
The Reds secured a narrow win at home on Saturday, but the celebrations were tempered when Alexander Isak was forced off the pitch with an ankle injury. The Swedish international had opened the scoring early in the second half, netting his second Premier League goal for the club, before a challenge from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven left him in distress.
Initially, a stretcher was called, but Isak managed to limp off with assistance from the medical team. Manager Arne Slot offered a pessimistic initial assessment post-match, noting that when a scoring player cannot continue, it is rarely positive news. The club is now awaiting scans to determine the full extent of the problem, though early reports from The Athletic suggest a lower-leg issue rather than a feared knee ligament injury.
Ekitike Receives Rallying Cry
With Isak likely facing a spell on the sidelines and Mohamed Salah departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, attention has turned to summer signing Hugo Ekitike. The French forward, who scored Liverpool's second goal against Tottenham, has been directly challenged to lead the line.
Former goalkeeper and BBC pundit Shay Given emphasised the urgency on Match of the Day. "It's a big loss if Isak has gone off injured again," Given stated. "Ekitike looks the real deal, doesn't he? A brilliant striker and he'll have to step up." He further stressed the importance of Ekitike maintaining his fitness during a congested fixture period.
Fixture Pile-Up and Selection Headaches
The injury crisis compounds a challenging schedule for Arne Slot's squad. Liverpool are next in action on December 27, hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield, followed by a New Year's Day clash with Leeds United.
Slot's selection options are severely hampered. Beyond Isak's absence, midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai will miss the Wolves match through suspension after picking up a yellow card against Spurs. The match also saw Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, and Florian Wirtz substituted due to various injuries, depleting the squad further.
The match itself was a fiery affair, with Tottenham finishing with nine men. Xavi Simons was sent off in the first half for a dangerous tackle on Virgil van Dijk, and Cristian Romero saw red in stoppage time for lashing out at Ibrahima Konate. Despite a late consolation from Richarlison, Liverpool held on for a vital three points, a victory now bittersweet due to the cost in personnel.
