Arne Slot gives worrying update on Alexander Isak’s injury recovery at Liverpool

Last Updated on 30 January 2026

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that marquee summer signing Alexander Isak is still a long way from returning to first-team action.

Speaking ahead of the Reds’ Premier League clash against Isak’s former club, Newcastle United, Slot gave a sobering assessment of the striker’s recovery.

The Swedish forward, who completed a record-breaking £125 million move to Anfield last summer, has been sidelined with a significant lower-leg injury, including a fibula fracture, sustained during a clash with Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven in December.

“A while before he is back”: Arne Slot on Alexander Isak injury

During his pre-match press conference at the AXA Training Centre, Slot was asked about the status of the Liverpool No. 9.

The Dutchman revealed that while Isak has made a small step forward, he is nowhere near a return to the grass.

“No, he is not on the pitch yet. He is just out of his walker, so that tells you he is not expected on the pitch today or tomorrow. It will take a while before he is back, which we knew about.”

The mention of the “walker” (protective boot) indicates that Isak has only just moved into the next phase of his rehabilitation.

Slot’s tone suggests the club is being incredibly cautious with the 26-year-old, especially given his “stop-start” beginning to life on Merseyside and a history of niggling groin issues earlier in the campaign.

When is Alexander Isak expected to be back?

While Liverpool fans were hoping for a speedy recovery, the timeline remains measured in months rather than weeks. Current estimates suggest:

Earliest Potential Return: Late March 2026 (likely after the international break).

Current Status: Moving from protective equipment to gym-based rehabilitation.

Impact: He will definitely miss the reunion with Newcastle this weekend and several key Champions League knockout ties.

The injury adds to a growing list of casualties for Slot, who is also currently navigating the absence of Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley.

However, there was some positive news elsewhere in the squad, with Ibrahima Konate and Curtis Jones confirmed as available for selection against the Magpies.

Despite the setback, Slot remains focused on the long-term, previously noting that Isak was signed on a six-year contract and his full impact will be felt once he is 100% fit and integrated into the system.

Football Paparazzi’s view

Alexander Isak’s injury has come as a blessing for Hugo Ekitike who has established himself as Liverpool’s first-choice striker.

Regular minutes have allowed Ekitike to build chemistry with the midfield, in particular Florian Wirtz, and has grown in confidence, making the role his own.

When Isak returns, this may no longer be a simple case of reclaiming a starting spot, it could define the attacking hierarchy at Liverpool for the rest of the season.