Alexander Isak Injury: Progress, Potential Return Date for Liverpool Star

Liverpool’s record signing has been missing since just before Christmas.

Alexander Isak suffered an injury against Tottenham last December. | Getty/Joe Prior/Visionhaus

Liverpool continue to wait on the return of summer signing Alexander Isak, who suffered a nasty leg injury during a 2–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in December 2025.

Isak’s goal on the day—just his second in the Premier League since his $170 million (£125 million) move from Newcastle United in the summer—was a welcome sight for both supporters and manager Arne Slot, but the aftermath quickly dampened the mood.

As he broke the deadlock, the Swede went down injured following a challenge from Micky van de Ven, requiring several minutes of treatment on the pitch before eventually being forced off. Months later, Isak continues to fight his way back to full fitness.

Here is the latest update on the Liverpool forward’s condition.

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What Injury Does Isak Have?

Isak could be sidelined for a while. | Getty/Marc Atkins

The initial fear was that Isak may have suffered the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury—a serious and often long-term setback—but the club subsequently confirmed that the 26-year-old had broken his leg, specifically fracturing his fibula (the bone between his knee and ankle) while also damaging his ankle.

Van de Ven charged across the penalty box in a desperate attempt to block the ball but succeeded only in making contact with Isak. The studs on the striker’s left boot were caught in the turf, resulting in the excruciating twist which has caused all this damage.

Liverpool revealed on Monday, Dec. 22—two days after the incident—that Isak had been forced to go under the knife to correct this issue. “After diagnosis, an operation was completed today on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture,” a statement read. The Reds optimistically included the verdict that the procedure had gone “successfully.”

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When Will Isak Return From Injury?

Arne Slot will be hoping Isak is back sooner rather than later. | Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images

The length of Alexander Isak’s lay-off remains unknown but Slot was optimistic in the immediate aftermath of the setback that his summer recruit would feature again before the conclusion of the current campaign. The Liverpool boss confirmed that Isak would be out for “a couple of months”, a relatively palatable timeline given how much more severe the injury could have been.

The striker was spotted back on the training pitch in February as he stepped up his recovery, but Slot was quick to play down hopes of an imminent return, insisting he expected Isak to make his comeback around the international break.

Sweden manager Graham Potter was more optimistic, though, claiming Isak was working with a view to returning in time to represent his country in the international break at the end of March. However, having now named his squad for the internationals, Isak was notably absent.

Slot has refused to pencil in a specific date for Isak’s return and has urged caution after such a lengthy absence. Time is running out before the campaign’s end but hope remains that the ex-Newcastle man can feature again this term.

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