2 days ago
30
Liverpool have received a warning from an injury specialist that Alexander Isak could require surgery to avoid recurring issues down the line.
Isak is presently sidelined with a groin problem that ruled him out of last weekend's loss to Brentford. The Reds secured Isak's signature from Newcastle United on deadline day in a transfer valued at £125million.
Since his arrival, the Sweden forward has managed just one goal in eight outings, with his return date still uncertain. Isak was withdrawn at the interval during Liverpool's Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt last week.
The Reds face Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening before hosting Aston Villa at Anfield in the Premier League at the weekend, though Isak's availability for either fixture remains unclear.
With their record acquisition unavailable, Liverpool have been cautioned that surgical intervention for Isak might need to be considered to prevent further setbacks in the future.
"With Isak, I might have even had an interview earlier this year of last year about the possibility of discussions being had behind the scenes about how best to manage Alexander Isak," injury specialist Ben Dinnery told the ECHO, via Escapist Magazine.
"Is there maybe a need to go under the knife? There will be a point where they look at that and discuss.
"Surgical intervention is primarily taken for two reasons. One is to minimize or mitigate the risk of re-injury so you're hoping to stop that. Secondly, is to free the player up so they're returning to those pre-injury levels.
"Now, of course, there is never a 100 per cent success rate guarantee with these surgeries so that's why it's not a decision that is taken lightly. The Isak situation, we know that it's very minor, more of a niggle, but he is being managed.
"You've got the form of [Hugo] Ekitike and Isak's coming off the back of a heavily disrupted pre-season programme. That forms a cornerstone for any player for their upcoming campaign. The more sessions and games that you miss during that block, the higher risk you are of picking up an injury.
"Again, it comes as no surprise that Isak's going to pick up one or two niggles during these early two months for Liverpool. Liverpool supporters will hope that when they go into the second half of the season, they'll start to see an Isak which justifies that price tag."
English (US) ·