Injury expert explains how long Alexander Isak will miss after Micky Van De Ven horrendous tackle
An injury specialist has delivered an early assessment on the knock sustained by Alexander Isak during Liverpool’s narrow 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in north London.
The Swedish forward was introduced from the bench by Arne Slot with the contest finely balanced, despite Spurs being reduced to ten men following Xavi Simons’ dismissal before the interval. Isak wasted little time in swinging the momentum Liverpool’s way, latching onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Florian Wirtz and calmly guiding his finish beyond the Tottenham goalkeeper to give the visitors the lead.
However, celebrations were short-lived. As Isak struck the ball, his standing leg became trapped between the legs of Micky van de Ven, who had launched into a last-ditch sliding challenge in an attempt to block the effort. The awkward collision immediately left Isak in visible discomfort, prompting a lengthy stoppage as Liverpool’s medical staff attended to him on the pitch.
After several minutes of treatment, the 26-year-old was unable to continue and eventually required assistance to leave the field, with Jeremie Frimpong coming on as his replacement. While Hugo Ekitike’s subsequent goal ensured Liverpool claimed all three points — despite Richarlison pulling one back late on for Spurs — the result was overshadowed by growing concern over Isak’s condition.
In the aftermath of the match, injury analysis outlet Physio Scout reviewed footage of the incident and offered insight into the type of damage such a challenge can cause. According to their assessment, scissor-style tackles are particularly dangerous due to the way they force the ankle and knee into unnatural positions.
Physio Scout explained that this mechanism often raises fears of a high or medial ankle sprain, brought on by forced rotation and eversion of the ankle. They also highlighted the fibula as a potential problem area, given the direct impact involved in the challenge.
In their analysis, they wrote:
“Scissor-tackle type mechanism typically brings concern for a high/medial ankle sprain, potentially due to forced ankle eversion and rotation. The fibula (lower leg bone) is also a common injury site due to direct contact.
“These types of tackles can also place stress on the knee structures due to forced valgus, particularly the MCL. The ACL can also be affected, though this is considered less likely.”
Because of the range of injuries associated with this kind of impact, Isak could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. A high ankle sprain usually requires eight to 10 weeks of recovery, while a medial ankle sprain can take anywhere from two to six weeks. If the medial collateral ligament (MCL) is involved, the layoff could stretch from two weeks to as long as three months, depending on severity.
Physio Scout added that a high ankle sprain appears to be the most probable outcome, which would likely rule Isak out for at least two months. That scenario would be a significant setback for the striker, who has already endured fitness issues since completing his move to Anfield in the summer and is still working to build rhythm and consistency.
Liverpool will now await further medical examinations before gaining clarity on the full extent of the injury. Speaking after the match, Slot admitted he had little concrete information but acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding Isak’s withdrawal were concerning.
“I don’t have any news on him,” Slot said during his post-match press conference. “But if a player scores and then gets injured, and doesn’t come back on the pitch or even try to come back — that is usually not a good thing.
“Conor Bradley, for example, tried to continue but couldn’t, so I had to take him off. If a player doesn’t even attempt to return, that normally tells you something. That’s just a gut feeling, though — nothing medical. I haven’t spoken to him yet.”
Further tests in the coming days will determine how long Liverpool may have to cope without their in-form forward, with supporters anxiously awaiting updates from the club’s medical team.