Liverpool will return to Premier League action after Christmas, and Arne Slot is still dealing with several injuries ahead of their clash with rock‑bottom Wolves
Liverpool have suffered a significant setback, with Alexander Isak expected to be sidelined for several months after sustaining a leg fracture. The striker picked up the injury during the 2–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur under a challenge from Micky Van de Ven and later underwent surgery following an MRI scan on Sunday.
Isak had been on the pitch for only 11 minutes as a second‑half substitute before being replaced by Jeremie Frimpong. After Sunday’s scan confirmed the extent of the damage, he underwent surgery on Monday to address an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture.
Despite the setback, Arne Slot is hoping Isak can play a part in the back end of the season. “I’m confident he can,” the Dutch boss said in Tuesday’s press conference.
“It’s been a really challenging and difficult period for him. You join a new club, he was very excited and you want to show immediately your qualities but that was simply impossible.”
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The ECHO has taken a look at the latest injury news and Slot’s updates following his Tuesday morning press conference.
Alexander Isak
Injury: Ankle.
Isak lasted only 11 minutes after coming on as a substitute against Tottenham, picking up an injury when he was caught by Micky van de Ven in the buildup to Liverpool’s opening goal.
What Slot has said: “It’s going to be a long injury. A couple of months. That’s a big, big big disappointment for him and also for us. I’m confident he can (play a part in back end of season). It’s been a really challenging and difficult period for him.
“You join a new club, he was very excited and you want to show immediately your qualities but that was simply impossible. If you haven’t trained for two or three months at serious level, in this league you have to be on top of your game to impact a game of football.
“We knew it would take months. We knew it could take him time, that’s why he’s so unlucky he’s now injured as we all saw with his goals versus West Ham and Tottenham he got closer to the player and player he was at Newcastle.”
Possible return date: Spring 2026
Conor Bradley
Injury: Hamstring.
The right‑back was forced off at half‑time after appearing to tweak his hamstring while chasing Djed Spence during one of the Spurs defender’s forward bursts.
What Slot said: “Conor will be 50/50. He’s not training with us today or tomorrow. Friday we will see exactly where he is if he can be in squad.”
Possible return date: vs Wolves (December 27).
Cody Agat
Injury: Muscle.
Gakpo has missed the clashes with Inter Milan and Brighton due to a muscle injury, interrupting what had been a bright start to his season. With seven Premier League goal contributions already, he had firmly established himself as a regular in the starting lineup.
What Slot said: “Cody is a bit similar to Conor.”
Possible return date: vs Wolves (December 27).
Florian Wirtz
Injury: Hamstring.
Wirtz provided the assist for Isak’s goal against Tottenham but was later seen rubbing his hamstring and was substituted for Trey Nyoni.
What Slot said: “Florian is okay. Just had cramp at Tottenham. In an ideal world I could have rested him more. But he’s okay.”
Possible return date: vs Wolves (December 27).
Giovanni Leoni
Injury: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).
Giovanni Leoni managed less than 90 minutes for Liverpool before suffering a devastating cruciate ligament injury in September.
What Slot said back in September: “He is not in a good place because he tore his ACL, which means he will be out around a year. Being so young and coming to a new country and playing so well in your first game, it’s very hard to take the positives. But you try to look at that, and that is that he is still so young, and he has so many years still to go after he recovers.’
Possible return date: Pre-season 2026.
Joe Gomez
Injury: Muscle.
Gomez played just 26 minutes against Brighton before being substituted with a muscle issue.
What Slot said last week: “Joe won’t be available.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Wataru Endo
Injury: Ankle.
What Slot has said: “Wata won’t be (available).
Possible return date: Early 2026.
