Alexander Isak made his Liverpool debut against Atletico Madrid.placeholder image
Alexander Isak made his Liverpool debut against Atletico Madrid. | Getty Images
Liverpool will be without Alexander Isak following another significant injury setback at Anfield
After scoring just his second Premier League goal for the Reds, the British record signing will now be out of action for at least ‘a couple of months’, Arne Slot has confirmed. Isak underwent surgery on a broken leg this week, leaving Liverpool with just Hugo Ekitike to lead the attacking line.
Liverpool linked with ‘magnificent’ Premier League star
Despite spending more than £200 million on both Isak and Ekitike over the summer, Liverpool now find themselves considering another centre-forward signing.
Ekitike has hit the ground running in his maiden season in red but the pressure is now on the Frenchman’s shoulders with Isak out for a significant amount of time. The Reds have slowly worked themselves back into a positive run of form and cannot afford to nose dive again.
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are considering the idea of pursuing Brentford’s Igor Thiago in the new year. The Brazilian signed for the Bees last summer from Belgian side Club Brugge and has made a big impact this season with 11 goals in 17 Premier League appearances so far.
Liverpool reportedly see Thiago is a ‘stylistic fit’ for their system but naturally, Brentford are reluctant to sell up halfway through the season. It will take an ‘extraordinary’ offer to make the Bees consider cashing in on the 24-year-old in January.
Manager Keith Andrews has been left very impressed with his striker this season, admitting he didn’t expect this level of impact from Thiago after he scored a brace against Burnley. The 45-year-old lauded the Brazilian as a ‘magnificent’ asset to his team.
“It's not normal for players to come from Bulgarian, Belgian football, have a year out injured, more or less, and then impact the Premier League in the way that he has.
“I knew he would have a serious impact on the league because of the attributes he has physically and the type of player he is, but the goal return and the overall performance levels have been really, really impressive.”
Arne Slot could make changes in his Liverpool line-up
As well as considering new signings in January, Liverpool could also rely on tactical changes using their current players. The report claims that Isak’s injury has forced a ‘significant reassessment of both tactical plans and transfer strategy’, which could involve a change in role for Florian Wirtz.
The German playmaker has come under some criticism this season as his first goal in red continues to evade him. During this injury crisis, Wirtz could be asked to ‘take on a more advanced role’ in Liverpool’s attack and take on the false nine role Roberto Firmino was known so well for during his time at Anfield.
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