Arne Slot will be 'relieved' by Alexander Isak injury after strategy 'backfired'

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Alexander Isak’s injury brings an unexpected reprieve for Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, after a recent tactical approach failed to deliver the desired results

Alexander Isak broke his leg after scoring against Tottenham(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been handed an unexpected reprieve following Alexander Isak’s injury, which comes in the wake of a tactical approach that failed to produce the desired results.

Isak sustained his injury while scoring Liverpool’s opening goal in the team's 2-1 win at Tottenham earlier this month. The Swedish striker, who has managed just three goals since his £125 million ($169 million) move from Newcastle this summer, collided with Micky van de Ven as he struck the ball.

Isak was subsequently diagnosed with a broken leg and underwent surgery to address the injury. Due to its severity, he is expected to be sidelined for several months, though Liverpool has not provided a definitive timeline for his return.

Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke says Isak’s injury will give Slot relief by starting Hugo Ekitike every game. He said: “If it's not broken, don't fix it.

"The signings looked really expansive, really exciting. But having all of the top players doesn't mean that the pieces come together and they're finding it very difficult.

“The unfortunate thing for Alexander Isak is breaking his leg, but that gives the manager a little bit of a relief because he does have one less player to think of.

“ Hugo Ekitike, who obviously has been superb so far in the campaign in that nine will start, and he doesn’t have to juggle the players to try and please the dressing room."

“Sometimes you don't need to go and sign so many expensive players," added Yorke in an interview with FootItalia. "I think it's backfired on Liverpool so far this season.

Alexander Isak faces a long lay-off after breaking his leg against Tottenham(Image: Getty Images)

"It may come right eventually, but sometimes you just don't need to. If it's not broken, then just don't go and try to fix it.

“That's what Liverpool tried to do, and it's not really worked out the way that they all anticipated that they would have hoped for, for everyone.”

Liverpool set a new British transfer record to sign Isak earlier this year. The 26-year-old former Borussia Dortmund forward arrived at Anfield with high expectations, having scored 54 goals in 86 Premier League appearances for Newcastle.

However, Isak missed Newcastle’s preseason while pushing for the move to Liverpool, leaving him short of match fitness upon his arrival.

Coupled with Ekitike’s impressive performances, this made it challenging for Isak to secure a regular starting spot under Arne Slot.

Isak began to build momentum heading into the Christmas period, scoring his first Premier League goal for Liverpool in the 2-0 victory over West Ham on November 30, and adding another goal three weeks later against Tottenham—both showcasing his instinctive finishing ability.