Liverpool face a January dilemma after Alexander Isak’s injury with Arne Slot weighing up short-term fixes and renewed interest in Antoine Semenyo.
Arne Slot has been dealt a potential transfer nightmare – with Alexander Isak set to be out for a number of months after the Sweden international underwent surgery on a leg fracture. Liverpool’s £125m striker was forced off against Tottenham following a heavy challenge from Micky van de Ven.
The extent of that injury has now been confirmed – with Isak expected to miss a significant portion of the season. After undergoing an MRI scan on Sunday, the 26-year-old subsequently had successful surgery, leaving Slot facing the task of replacing his striker.
If there’s one silver lining to Isak’s situation, it’s the timing of the setback, with the January transfer window about to open. That gives the Liverpool head coach time to assess his options.
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Hugo Ekitike will be expected to lead the line over the coming months, but Slot will still likely be wanting further options during that period. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has already named two possible solutions.
“I think it’s pretty certain now Salah will stay at Liverpool when he comes back from AFCON,” the former Reds’ defender said on Monday Night Football. “People wanted that to happen anyway and we spoke about that last week.
“I think Harvey Elliott’s situation at Aston Villa… he will probably come back to the club because he’s finding it difficult at Aston Villa. There’s been big talk for a long time that Liverpool are interested in (Antoine) Semenyo.
“The fact he’s a wide player who can play both sides – and your two wide players are predominantly Gakpo and Salah. Both can play centre-forward and I think Liverpool will probably go more that way (in the transfer market) rather than going for a centre-forward or buying someone they don’t really fancy.
“They seem to really like Semenyo, as a lot of other teams do, as well. I go back to what Liverpool did a few years ago when they had a few centre-backs out, they brought in a lad from Preston and a lad from overseas. They were never going to be Liverpool players for the future, it was to get them until the end of the season.
“Liverpool may find a striker to do that, but I don’t think they’ll be looking to spend big money on someone they don’t particularly fancy right now.”
The Bournemouth forward is, arguably, one of the most sought-after players in the Premier League heading into January. Liverpool were linked with Semenyo this summer and those whispers have not gone away.
The Cherries star has a £65m release clause that will be active for the first 10 days of the January transfer window. With Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham also credited with an interest, Liverpool would need to move quickly.
What could give Slot’s side an edge is Semenyo’s ‘preferred’ destination. According to The Guardianthe forward views Liverpool as his ideal next club.
It has also been reported that Harvey Elliott could return to Anfield following his difficult loan spell at Aston Villa. The 22-year-old has made just five appearances since joining Unai Emery’s side on a season-long deal.
Elliott’s move will become permanent if he makes 10 appearances for Villa but, having not featured for them since early October, it appears Emery is reluctant for that clause to be triggered. Talks are, therefore, said to be ongoing between the two clubs over an early termination.
With Isak side-lined for a prolonged spell, Slot could decide to press ahead with Liverpool’s interest in Semenyo – while also recalling Elliott from his loan to bolster his attacking options.
